Anti-Nuclear Petition Handed In

1 February 2011, 06:00 | Updated: 16 February 2011, 10:39

Thousands of people in Essex have signed a petition against plans for a new nuclear power station at Bradwell-on-Sea.

Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group (BANNG) is also opposed to the storage of highly radioactive waste on site.

BANNG is handing a petition with 10 thousand signatures to Energy Minister, Charles Hendry, MP, at a meeting in Westminster today (1 February).

Varrie Blowers, Secretary of BANNG said: "Getting so many signatures from local communities and those with ties to the area is a colossal acheivement and demonstrates unequivocally the sheer strength of the opposition to the proposal."

The petition not only wants the government to reject the plans - but also wants the site of the former Bradwell power station returned to greenfield status within 25 years of closure.

The group believes the impact of up to three reactors with cooling towers would destroy habitats and the oyster industry.

Varrie Blowers again: " Our objective is to get him (Charles Hendry, MP) to see how wrong it would be to persist with proposals for Bradwell. We shall urge him to take it off the list."