Go nuclear

WE NEED an integrated policy to ensure homes and industry have the power supplies they need.

I worked in the power industry when Heysham and torness nuclear facilities were being built. Apart from industrial disruption, we had stable, affordable electricity and gas.

Successive governments of whatever political colour have procrastinated over the future of energy supplies. As a nation we have sleepwalked into this crisis and, even with a concerted effort to remedy the problem, there is no quick fix.

Handouts are necessary in the short to medium term, but will be wasted if there is no longterm strategy.

We have access to oil and gas. this is no time to be pandering to Nimbys and environmental activists.

It is no use Liz truss saying she will go ahead with fracking ‘if the local community agrees’. they will never agree. Along with recommissioning North Sea rigs, we must over-ride objections in the national interest.

the building of nuclear power stations must also move apace. One of the big arguments against their viability is decommissioning costs.

Hinckley C will take years to come on stream and will have a decommissioning headache 40 years on.

the technology is here to begin building small modular reactors. the Government should enter into urgent development talks with Rolls-Royce and start ordering them at the rate of one every year.

Apart from being able to be brought on line quickly, decommissioning costs would be far lower.

Miss truss, it’s time for joined-up thinking and an overall power strategy that will provide security for our children and grandchildren.

KEN HIBBITT, Ashington, Northumberland.