Many people living close to nuclear power stations express only reluctant acceptance of nuclear power and of new nuclear stations being built there, according to work carried out by researchers from Cardiff University and the University of East Anglia.

With the Government and energy companies preparing to build new nuclear power plants, the 5-year study shows that residents near nuclear stations at Bradwell (Essex), Oldbury (Gloucestershire) and Hinkley Point (Somerset) hold mixed views about nuclear power.

The study found that locals held a range of opinions, from considering nuclear power to be beneficial and safe to finding it threatening and being distrustful of the nuclear industry.  For instance, a survey of people living near Oldbury and Hinkley Point found that they were likely to see the benefits of nuclear power outweighing its risks, yet the majority of local people still thought that nuclear power and radioactive waste present risks.

In interviews the research found that, on a day-to-day basis, many residents in Bradwell and Oldbury see the nuclear power plants as familiar, unremarkable and feel confident that local operators are running the plants safely.  Indeed many were emphatic that they would rather live near a nuclear power station, than a coal fired one or other 'dirty' industrial sites.  However there were also times when many interview participants felt the power station could be threatening due to perceived risks of terrorism, health concerns and incidents such as Chernobyl.

Although over half of those surveyed at Oldbury and at Hinkley Point supported a new nuclear plant in their local area the vast majority of people surveyed, regardless of their views on nuclear power, wanted the industry and Government to fully involve local people in plans for locating new nuclear power stations.