AN ANTI-NUCLEAR campaign group chairman has published a new book exploring the legacy of power stations.

Professor Andy Blowers, chairman of Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group, has written a “timely reminder of the inevitable risks” of building power stations near communities.

Legacy of Nuclear Power compiles stories from Hanford in the US, Stellafield in the UK and Normandy in France.

BANNG has been campaigning against a new power station at Bradwell, saying the site is unsuitable.

Prof Blowers said: “The Legacy of Nuclear Power argues that in countries like the UK the nuclear industry is unlikely to break out of its existing locations.

“Thus, however unsuitable the site, the fact that it already has a nuclear presence is seen as a powerful reason for it to be considered for new nuclear development.

“Despite the fact that Bradwell has ceased production and is supposedly entering a phase of care and maintenance, the site has been revived as suitable for the Chinese nuclear experiment in Britain.”

He added: “ The Legacy of Nuclear Power presents both a warning and an inspiration to those living with the existing legacy and those intent on stopping any further nuclear development with its unknowable volumes of nuclear waste.

"It is the task of the present to ensure a better legacy for the future.”

The book has already been praised by the former chairman of the UK committee on radioactive waste management, Gordon MacKerron.

He said: “His book is utterly compelling, beautifully written and explains how a variety of consecutive discourses have influenced the evolution of these ‘peripheral’ communities, giving them the ambiguous status of being both marginal and dependent, but also endowed with political influence.”

Find the book at www.routledge.com.