Darren Johnson AM has called for immediate action after a Daily Mirror reporter was able to plant a fake bomb on a train carrying nuclear waste.
According to today’s Mirror their reporter Tom Parry "exploited security lapses to wander up to the unattended wagons at a North West London depot."
Parry says "I was able to place a device that could have been a bomb on the 12-ton cargo as the train sat in sidings at a North West London rail depot."
Mr Johnson who is chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee condemned the security failings at the yard. "In 2001 we urged the operators, Direct Rail Services, to improve trackside security with particular emphasis on access to spent fuel flasks. It is completely unacceptable that five years after our recommendations security surrounding spent nuclear fuel in the heart of London appears so lax."
Highlighting the current threat to terrorism Mr Johnson said "a year after the 7 July bombings there can be no excuse for such complacency with security surrounding such an obvious terrorist target."
Direct Rail Services is owned by the Government backed Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. In statement issued today the Authority said it was "very concerned to hear of allegations that security requirements have not been met."
"We understand that the security regulator OCNS, will be conducting an investigation and we await the outcome of that investigation."
The statement insists the company "places safety and security as its highest priority" and it will be carrying out an internal investigation.
