Nuke flights

The current length of the runway at Wick Airport

Last night, a spokesman for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority refused to reveal the route the flights were taking.

He said: “Our priority is to comply with the regulations governing the safety and security of nuclear material.

“Compliance with the regulations includes protecting information about the routes, times, dates and location”.

Last night, i ndependent nuclear consultant John Large said: “This is pretty toxic stuff.

“This is weapons grade material. It is quite active. It’s ticking away. It does not turn itself off.

“In the States you cannot overfly with this type of material. The planes will put down on the east coast and the shipment will continue under armed escort by rail or road.

“The risks in transport by aircraft are, in the event of a crash, the fuel being engulfed in fire, the packages breaking down and the fuel igniting.

“The greatest risk is in the transportation of this material.”

A spokesman for Wick John O’Groats Airport said: “We don’t comment on specific aircraft movements. However, all permitted movements at Wick John O’Groats airport comply with the operating protocols and requirements of the airport.”