An interactive virtual exhibition has been launched today for people in Copeland to give them an insight into the workings of a nuclear disposal facility.

The virtual experience, including videos and graphics, has been set up by the Copeland GDF Working Group which was established in November to involve the public in the process of exploring the potential for building a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) in the borough.

Nuclear waste is already prepared and packaged for disposal at Sellafield and is currently stored above ground within the complex.

At the GDF, the packaged waste would be taken hundreds of metres below the ground and put into tunnels or vaults and then a backfill material would be placed around it and the tunnel or vaults sealed.

Around that would be hundreds of metres of suitable geology, referred to as a multi-barrier system – multiple layers of protection that contain and isolate the radioactive waste forever.

It is hoped the first waste will be in place at the GDF by the middle of the 2040s. Without such a facility, the waste would continue to be stored above ground until one was built.

Working group chairman, Mark Cullinan, said: “During these current uncertain times it’s more important than ever to offer alternative ways for people to access factual information about what a GDF is, in an easy to understand way.

“Under normal circumstances, we’d be going out to speak to people face to face and offering them the opportunity to see an exhibition.

“We can’t do that right now because of Covid, so we want to provide an experience that’s as near to that as possible.”

The virtual exhibition looks at what a GDF is, brings to life what a facility could look like, what it could mean for Copeland and the benefits it could bring as it takes the viewer through a display of interactive information boards.

Community engagement manager, Gillian Johnston, said: “We want as many people as possible to visit our virtual exhibition, where they’ll find videos and lots of other interactive content which brings the project to life and will help spark discussions.”

To find out more information visit copeland.workinginpartnership.org.uk, call 0300 0660 100 or email gdfmedia-copeland@nda.gov.uk