12/7/2007 - Emergency planning exercise to take place in Barrow

A multi-agency training exercise simulating a radioactive leak from a nuclear submarine under construction at BAE Systems Submarines Site at Barrow will take place next week on Tuesday 17th July.

The Shipyard Nuclear Alert Siren will be tested at about 7.45am and will last for one minute and will give an intermittent note similar to an air raid warning siren.

Exercise Indigo will test the accuracy, practicibility and adequacy of the BAE Systems submarines off-site emergency plan and will be assessed by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate. It is a legal requirement to review and test the emergency plan at least every three years. 

The exercise will take place at the South Cumbria Emergency Control Centre. There will be no 'on the ground' activity with all monitoring and off-site features simulated. 

The simulation will involve setting up a telephone helpline and a 'drop-in centre' , where public enquiries will be simulated. Media enquiries and reports will also be simulated by the exercise co-ordinators.

The exercise will start at 7.45am and is expected to last until 2pm. 

Agencies taking part in the exercise include:

Associated British Ports

BAE Systems Submarines

Barrow Borough Council

Cumbria Constabulary

Cumbria County Council

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service

Cumbria PCT

Environment Agency

Food Standards Agency

Government Office North West

Health Protection Agency

Ministry of Defence

North West Ambulance Service

South Lakeland District Council

United Utilities

Ends

Notes

The Police Press Bureau will deal with real media enquiries prior to and during the exercise on 01768 217009.