REPPIR

Radiation, Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations 2001 (REPPIR)

The Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 (REPPIR) aims to protect members of the public from a radiation emergency that could arise from work with ionising radiation. The regulations establish a framework of emergency preparedness measures to ensure to ensure that members of the public are properly informed and prepared, in advance, about what to do in the unlikely event of a radiation emergency occurring, and provided with information if a radiation emergency actually occurs.

REPPIR adopt many of the emergency planning principles of the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH) and formalise into regulations previous emergency planning arrangements with local authorities that have been in place around nuclear licensed premises for many years.

REPPIR do not replace existing nuclear site licence conditions but operators of licensed sites who comply with those conditions will satisfy equivalent provisions in REPPIR.

In the Reading Borough Council area there are no sites which need to comply with the above regulations.

In West Berkshire Council area there are two sites which need to comply with the above legislation. These two sites are both run by Atomic Weapons Establishment who have sites, both based in West Berkshire: AWE Aldermaston and AWE Burghfield.

As a result West Berkshire Council has an off-site plan relating to this site. In addition every 3 years as required under the legislation a multi-agency exercise is undertaken in order to exercise the plan and thereafter make changes as necessary. The last exercise was undertaken in November 2010.