Developed Operational Strategy - Low Level Waste Repository Ltd

LLWR Developed Operational Strategy10009/LLWR/LTP Date: March 2010The transition from storage operations to disposal of LLW is dependent upon:• The submission and acceptance of a revised Environmental Safety Case in 2011• The subsequent amendment to the LLWR RSA93 Authorisation by the EA, anticipated in 2013• Receipt of planning permission from Cumbria County Council allowing Vault 9 to be used fordisposalIt is assumed until advised that any waste stored in Vault 9 at that point will be reclassified as disposed,with all future additions in Vault 9 classified for permanent disposal.This strategy is dependent upon the EA being satisfied that the design of Vault 9 is suitable for disposaland that the overall radiological risk from LLWR is acceptable. The EA has confirmed at this stage, thatthe design of Vault 9 is acceptable and does not preclude any future options prior to closure.The shaded areas in Table 6 indicate that the work has been completed.TABLE 6 - VAULT 9 CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMMEKey activitiesDatesAward Construction Contract July 2008Start Construction Works September 2008Partial Slab Handover to Site Operations July 2009Complete Construction 20105.2.6 Strategy for Future Vault DevelopmentVault 9 has obtained planning approval from Cumbria County Council for the storage of LLW. There isstill uncertainty concerning its suitability for disposal, however, the EA has indicated they believe thedesign to be inherently flexible and capable of modification to satisfy the requirements, of disposal. Thedesign of Vault 9 reflects good practice, modern standards and international benchmarking related to theprovision of a waste disposal facility based on the principles of containment. The design of future vaultsand the closure of the whole facility is the subject to optimisation in relation to the development of theESC. The impact of this optimisation upon the design of future vaults and subsequent closure of thefacility as a whole is further discussed in section 6.Future Vaults will be developed as required. The exact development timescales are to be based onwaste consignments to LLWR. The forecast development is based on the WIDRAM database [10] .Figure 8 shows the sequence described above and also the subsequent development of the LLWR thatwill provide assured storage and disposal.Page 40 of 62