The Treasury has criticised the government’s flagship proposal to build an underground nuclear waste dump in Cumbria, describing the project as “unachievable” amid soaring costs and fundamental flaws in planning. The facility, designed to store 700,000 cubic metres of radioactive material, could cost as much as £54 billion, according to the latest assessment.
Red warning for the geological disposal facility
The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority gave the project a “red” rating in its annual review, the most severe category signalling that delivery appears unfeasible without radical changes. The report identified shortcomings in the definition of the project, its budget forecasts, scheduling and the ability to deliver long-term benefits. Officials noted that nuclear projects historically tend to exceed their cost projections, raising doubts over affordability.
Cumbria was left as the only candidate
Earlier, several regions had been considered to host the geological disposal facility, but Lincolnshire has since withdrawn from the process. That leaves two sites in Cumbria as the only remaining candidates. Both are located near the Lake District, prompting fears about environmental impact and community resistance in one of the UK’s most sensitive landscapes.
Criticism from campaigners
Campaigners have seized on the Treasury’s findings to reiterate their opposition. Richard Outram of the Nuclear Free Local Authorities said the project was based on an “unproven model” and warned that the spiralling estimates made it “financially reckless”. He argued that the likely final bill would sit at the upper end of the current range, leaving taxpayers exposed to extraordinary costs.
Sellafield continues to bear the burden
In the absence of a new facility, the UK’s most hazardous nuclear waste remains at Sellafield in Cumbria. The complex already manages material from the country’s decommissioned reactors as well as waste from ongoing projects, including Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C. Safety concerns at the site continue to attract scrutiny, with critics arguing that investment should be directed towards improving existing infrastructure.
Government defends long-term vision
Despite the Treasury’s assessment, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero insisted the project remains essential. A spokesperson said a geological disposal facility is “an internationally recognised solution” to the problem of nuclear waste, adding that it could deliver thousands of skilled jobs and economic benefits for the host community. Ministers argue that, while expensive, the project offers the only viable long-term answer to Britain’s nuclear legacy.
REFH – Newshub, 19 August 2025
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