Magnox safety review: extending the life of Britain's work horses

The Magnox Long Term Safety Review (LTSR) was initiated by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) and is a process that each UK licensee has accepted needs to be carried out to justify continued operation up to 30 years. A great deal has already been written on the subject. The NII had published the results of its findings on the reviews carried out at Bradwell and Berkeley. Here the position on all of the LTSRs at Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) stations is dealt with and engineering tests and improvements that have been undertaken or are underway are described. Some of the developments that are being pursued world-wide to achieve the highest possible standards of safe nuclear operation are also mentioned. Brief reference is made to the fact that next year CEGB power stations will be under new and private ownership. (author)