In West Cumbria, we’re working with Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) to deliver social value commitments through its Integrated Design and Engineering Framework (IDEF). While the work is still at an early stage, the focus has been on setting strong foundations – shaping the plan collaboratively, targeting support where it can have the greatest impact and working closely with organisations across the programme.

Here, Tracy Badham, Social Responsibility Manager at NWS, and Nicola Gorrill, Social Value Lead at ArchTam, discuss how that approach is taking shape.

Tell us about how you came up with the social value plan.

How does having someone embedded locally strengthen the partnership?

How has collaboration shaped the way social value is delivered in practice?

Nicola, how has your experience on other programmes influenced your approach here?

How are you setting the social value plan up for success going forward?

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Ben started his defence journey designing upgrades at HMAS Stirling, a naval base near Perth, and then moved on to RAAF Learmonth, where he designed building foundations and structures, before taking his experience globally.

Strengthening ties and global collaboration between ArchTam’s Australian and United Kingdom Defence teams, Ben was seconded to a major project in the UK, at Western Europe’s largest naval dockyard. After 12 months of learning from some of the best mentors in the world, Ben is back in Perth, bringing his international experience and highly specialised skills to major local projects.

Tell us about your career journey at ArchTam, what projects have you been involved with?

I was lucky to be part of the Metronet project in Perth, working on the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and Yanchep Rail Extension. I designed some large elements for the additional stations; retaining walls, columns, shell beams, steel superstructures and canopies.

I also contributed to one of the biggest megaprojects in the world, NEOM in Saudi Arabia, which ArchTam is involved with worldwide in many ways. I helped design the basement structure of The Line. It’s amazing to think that as a Mandurah, WA local, I was working on something of that global scale.

How did you get involved in Australian Defence work?

Defence has always been close to my heart because of my family. Due to my father’s work at ASC, I even toured Collins-class submarines. So, when the chance came to work on a project at HMAS Stirling, I jumped at it. We worked on a range of upgrades across the base, and I gained experience in defence operations and infrastructure.

Defence bases are like mini cities. They have all the services, facilities and master planning needs you’d expect, so you gain a wide range of skills and experience. I also worked at RAAF Learmonth, on the north-west coast of WA, designing foundations and structures for new buildings. This gave me deeper insight into the unique engineering challenges of remote and Defence infrastructure.

How did this lead to working in the UK?

ArchTam was working on a submarine construction yard in South Australia, and there was an opportunity to strengthen ties with our UK team through a 12-month secondment in Plymouth. The role involved design engineering on a nuclear safety-rated structure, which was a whole new level of complexity, designing for seismic loads, meeting strict compliance standards, and understanding the intricacies of this specific infrastructure.

It’s a defence project of enormous scale and multiple components that must come together as a solution to meet a new capability. I learnt so much technically and professionally. Working under the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) as the safety design authority, opened my eyes to new design approaches and guidelines, very different from what I was used to in Australia. The relationships I built with our UK colleagues will be invaluable as Australia ramps up its local programs. I’m excited to bring those skills back and help grow our local capabilities.

However, I’ll forever miss the history of the old structures that surrounded me in the Dockyards in the UK, which date back to the late 1600s, and have been operational for hundreds of years.

How will you apply your global defence experience to local projects?

I’m moving back to WA and will be working on projects that leverage my new highly specialised skills, applying everything I’ve learned over the past year, supporting future opportunities. I’ll be working with my colleagues to interpret and harmonise cross-regional nuclear submarine safety regulations.

The UK has been designing nuclear safety-related structures for decades, but this is an emerging area in Australia. I’ve learnt practical skills from those who have decades of experience in making sure these structures are safe for the community, effective and capable.

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Scott is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), with almost 30 years of experience in the UK nuclear industry. As an ICE Supervising Civil Engineer, Scott is committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers. His career spans a wide range of complex nuclear sector projects, including asset management, waste retrievals, decommissioning and demolition, and the design substantiation of legacy facilities.

What inspired you to join the industry?

From a young age, I found myself drawn to engineering — largely inspired by my best friend’s dad, who worked in the field. Coming from a family with professions in the General Post Office and insurance services, I didn’t have a technical background, but I really enjoyed subjects like technical drawing at school. That early interest led me to complete a work experience placement at an aeronautical engineering facility, where I had the opportunity to learn about aircraft engine maintenance. It was a fantastic experience and cemented my desire to pursue a career in engineering.

I later applied for an apprenticeship at another aeronautical firm, but during the interviewing process they encouraged me to consider an engineering degree given my academic strengths. My family background meant I hadn’t considered further education as an option, but I took that advice seriously and went on to study civil engineering at university.

Upon graduation, I had the opportunity to work with Sir Robert McAlpine on the construction of a large-scale processing facility within the nuclear sector; seeing the project from the early excavation work right through to handover for mechanical, electrical and process equipment fit out. After that, I took opportunities to develop my career with several other companies in the nuclear industry, both on the delivery and client sides. 

What continues to inspire me is the sheer diversity of the sector — no two projects are the same. Whether it’s complex structural new builds or finding solutions to small-scale issues on practically inaccessible elements, each challenge brings new learning and keeps me motivated to grow. This variety is especially evident in the work our nuclear practice delivers — from major decommissioning projects to multi-million-pound mega builds, and from local advisory roles to supporting clients through their project delivery processes. The impact of this work is significant: we’re not only driving progress but also removing risk to both the community and the workforce, ensuring safer, more efficient outcomes across the board.

What is your favourite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

One of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on involved a major decommissioning and demolition effort delivered under an alliance contract at Sellafield site in Cumbrian coast, Northwest England, UK. I was responsible for leading the civil, structural and architectural design on the client’s behalf, collaborating closely with an integrated team of ArchTam and client-side professionals to deliver a comprehensive design solution from start to finish.

What made this project particularly memorable was the strength of the teamwork. We faced numerous unexpected challenges – from unforeseen ground conditions and persistent foundation issues to significant regulatory scrutiny. Each hurdle required creative problem-solving, and we relied on our shared expertise and trust in one another to push through.

That shared experience brought out the best in everyone. We adopted innovative methods we hadn’t anticipated at the outset and grew enormously through the process — both as professionals and as a team. A major milestone was the successful decontamination and removal of a high-risk structure, which had been considered one of the most challenging elements of the project. This solution not only eliminated critical safety concerns but also demonstrated the power of collaboration and creative problem-solving under pressure.

What made the project stand out were the exceptional and resilient individuals I worked alongside and the transformative learning that came from overcoming adversity together. For me, it was a clear example of how passionate we are about applying the full scope of our capabilities to the sector.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

One of the most meaningful aspects of my role has been working with young people through STEM outreach – particularly those who might not typically see engineering as a viable path. I’ve been actively involved in initiatives like the Cumbria Youth Alliance’s Bridging Horizons program, which focuses on students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, including those who have different needs or have stepped away from formal education settings.

My efforts focus on introducing civil engineering to students aged between 11-14, especially those in technical or vocational learning environments. We aim to make the subject tangible and inspiring, whether through practical workshops, hands-on activities or site visits to projects. The goal is to demystify engineering and reassure that there’s space for everyone in this profession, even if it’s not something they’d previously considered.

I also partner with educators to review and adapt the curriculum, embedding civil engineering concepts in ways that resonate with students’ real-world experiences. Beyond the classroom, I contribute to CV-writing workshops, career advice sessions and networking opportunities to help open doors for young people. I always involve early careers colleagues for many of these activities too, giving them opportunities to grow and give back to the communities through mentorship.   

What’s truly rewarding is witnessing the moment a student realises they belong in this space – someone who might have never imagined themselves pursuing a career in engineering. It’s about unlocking potential, fostering inclusion and helping shape a sustainable workforce. As a company, we want to build on our 50 years’ heritage in the nuclear sector and leave a sustainable legacy for our communities – one that continues to open doors and inspire future generations.

Share a piece of career advice.

If I could offer one piece of career advice, it would be this: say yes to opportunities — even when they feel slightly beyond your comfort zone. My own journey has been shaped by moments when I chose to lean in and take a chance, even if I wasn’t sure I ticked every box or felt completely ready.

It’s easy to talk yourself out of something new. Imposter syndrome can creep in quickly, convincing you that you’re not experienced enough or that someone else would be better suited. But some of the most valuable learning happens after that leap of faith. You grow by doing, by stretching, by stepping into the unknown and figuring things out along the way.

That doesn’t mean saying yes blindly — it’s about being open to growth, especially when it’s uncomfortable. I’ve learnt that very few decisions are irreversible. If something doesn’t work out, you can course-correct. What matters most is having the courage to try. When I was at school, I did not expect to be heavily involved in projects where my decision making was ultimately being reported at the UK Cabinet level, but the philosophy of taking chances led me there.

So, whether it’s a project you’re unsure about, a new role or a chance to lead, don’t be afraid to take that leap. You might discover strengths you didn’t even know you had. And even if you stumble, you’ll walk away more resilient, more confident and better equipped for whatever comes next.

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Demonstrating skills

Participating in the event was an incredible experience. I felt immensely grateful to be invited and to represent ArchTam among other esteemed companies. At the Skills and Apprenticeship Fair, I shared details with other apprentices on our nuclear and digital capabilities. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase ArchTam’s expertise in the sector to the MPs, senior civil servants, CEOs of companies and other senior figures, emphasizing our involvement of over 50 years. Our multidisciplinary approach to engineering, covering electrical, civil, mechanical, and structural disciplines, was well-represented by NextGen attendees, referring to the younger generation of engineers and recent graduates, across all engineering fields.

Meeting my local MP

One of the highlights for me was when my MP, Andrew Cooper, actively sought me out and engaged in a meaningful conversation. It was a moment that truly underscored the significance of the event and the impact of our work.

Andrew and I discussed my journey into the nuclear industry. Coming from a domestic electrical background, I started as a trainee electrician, eager to find a career that would expand my skills and knowledge in an exciting design practice. It was through this search that I discovered the opportunities in the nuclear field which immediately stood out to me.

During our conversation, I shared with Andrew that many young people, including myself, don’t initially consider a career in the nuclear industry. However, it is a valuable and rewarding path with numerous opportunities. We discussed ways to spread this message more widely, emphasizing that the nuclear sector offers high-quality training and transferable skills that are applicable across various projects and industries. It’s a career path accessible to many, and it is crucial to highlight its significant growth potential.

Importance of engagement with MPs

Early engagement with MPs during events like this held in Parliament is crucial for apprentices as it showcases how apprenticeships are set up, how they can help bridge the skills gap in various sectors such as nuclear, and the benefits and opportunities given to the apprentices from day one of their career. This is particularly important given the Labour government’s focus on reforming the apprenticeship levy by replacing it with a new and more flexible ‘Growth and Skills Levy’.

Attending such events allows apprentices like me to showcase our direct contribution to projects and gain valuable insights from influential figures. MPs represent the people they serve, and it’s fascinating to hear their perspectives and excitement about developments like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as shared by Andrew. Promoting the nuclear industry is not just about the technology but also about the career opportunities it offers to new engineers. The industry’s evolving nature and unique projects reflect a societal shift in attitudes towards nuclear energy.

Preparation and support

My apprenticeship with ArchTam has prepared me well for attending events and speaking about my experiences to date. Visiting Parliament for the first time was overwhelming, but the support and briefing provided by ArchTam leaders and colleagues made a significant difference. Embracing opportunities and putting myself out there has been key to building my confidence at the event. This advice has been instrumental in my growth and development, and I plan to carry it forward in my career.

Message to the next generation

To aspiring engineers considering an apprenticeship in the nuclear industry, I would say that while it might seem niche on first glance, the skills you gain are highly transferable. The reach and potential of a career in nuclear are immense and rare. It’s a great career path with numerous opportunities for learning and development. The learning environment in the nuclear industry is not always widely known, which is why it’s beneficial to get involved and explore its potential.

Memorable takeaways

One of the most memorable moments from the event was being surrounded by like-minded individuals who share enthusiasm for the future of the nuclear sector. Engaging with senior managers, seasoned industry professionals from other countries, and fellow apprentices has helped me gain a clearer direction for my career aspirations. It reinforced my belief in the industry’s potential and provided a sense of direction for what I can achieve in the future.

Overall, participating in the Nuclear Week in Parliament and the Skills and Apprenticeship Fair has been a transformative experience, shaping my career aspirations and reinforcing my commitment to the nuclear industry.

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Georgie Bambridge joined ArchTam in 2022 as a graduate engineer working in the nuclear sector. As a structural engineer, she has experience working on a major nuclear energy project and on asset care projects on a nuclear energy site.

What inspired you to join the industry?

I was inspired to join the nuclear industry due to the unique combination of technical challenges, responsibility, and impact on the future of energy. From an early age, I wanted to make a positive impact on the world, and I knew the best way to achieve this was through a job I loved. I chose to study structural engineering because of my passion for solving complex problems and applying the mathematical and mechanical principles I learned throughout my education to my project work every day.

 The nuclear industry is the perfect field for me to channel my passion for structural engineering and make a meaningful impact. The challenge of constructing safe, durable, and precise structures, combined with the significant benefits of clean energy, inspires me. I am driven by a commitment to technical excellence and environmental responsibility, making this career path truly fulfilling.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

One of my favourite projects at ArchTam has been working on a nuclear new build facility — an ambitious and highly significant project. ArchTam serves as the lead designer, with a multi-disciplinary team based in the Warrington office. The team’s close collaboration between disciplines — architecture, civil & structural, mechanical, electrical, building services, and project management — ensures seamless coordination and effective problem-solving.

On this project, I had the opportunity to design a seismically qualified portal frame building. This involved designing the structure to maintain stability and integrity under seismic forces, specifically engineering it to resist earthquake-induced loads and deformations. Seismic design is complex provided the unpredictable, dynamic forces applied to the structure, unlike static loads such as gravity and wind. Seismic forces can cause buildings to sway and deform in different directions requiring a deeper understanding of structural dynamics. This design was particularly rewarding given the complexity involved. Through this experience, I developed a strong understanding of seismic structures and how seismic loads are distributed throughout a building.

Nuclear projects require extended timelines due to stringent regulatory requirements, intricate engineering challenges, and high safety and quality standards. This project has a timeline of over 10 years and being part of such a complex and impactful endeavour has been deeply fulfilling.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

I’ve had the privilege of working on nuclear waste management and asset care projects, contributing to legacy cleanup. These efforts play a vital role in creating a cleaner, safer site for future generations, with a positive impact on the local communities. The projects I’ve been involved in have successfully reduced risks, prevented further contamination, and made incremental progress toward the long-term cleanup goals.

This work is profoundly rewarding, as it allows me to contribute to both environmental preservation and public health protection. By restoring contaminated land, air, and water, we’re safeguarding ecosystems and reducing radiation risks for surrounding communities. The challenges are both technical and intellectual, requiring the use of dynamic thinking and close collaboration across disciplines. Ultimately, there’s a deep sense of fulfilment in tackling the lasting impacts of nuclear activities, knowing that our efforts are making a tangible difference in securing a safer future for generations to come.

Share a piece of career advice.

Every project and role presents a fresh challenge and requires a new way of thinking. It’s important to remain open to learning and growth at every stage of your career. Pursue work that you enjoy and remember that with the dynamic nature of the industry, there are countless opportunities. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new — it’s often where the greatest personal and professional growth happens.

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What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering, specifically chemical engineering and civil nuclear? What have been the most significant career milestones that stand out to you?

My passion for engineering was sparked during my school years, where I excelled in science and mathematics. I sought a practical application for these subjects, aiming to make a tangible difference. This led me to chemical engineering, a field of engineering that essentially turns raw materials into useful products.

My journey into nuclear engineering was influenced by the industries’ many opportunities for new graduates. I completed a rigorous training and development program and quickly progressed to leading my own projects, which laid a strong foundation for my career.

Achieving Chartered Engineer status was a significant milestone, marking my commitment to professional excellence. Subsequently, I transitioned into engineering and project management roles, focusing on right first-time approaches to solving nuclear problems. Currently, I oversee the nuclear practice at ArchTam, where I leverage my expertise to ensure the highest standards of safety and delivery in our projects.

How do you approach the unique challenges and opportunities within the nuclear decommissioning projects?

Addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within nuclear decommissioning projects requires a strategic and innovative mindset. These projects are among the most complex engineering challenges in the UK. My approach involves a safety-first attitude, leveraging past experiences and learnings, while seeking innovative solutions to address project-specific issues.

These projects are often undertaken by large teams due to the complexity, so it’s crucial to establish clear requirements and add value from the outset. This involves thorough upfront scoping with key stakeholders to define what is needed and where value can be added.

Throughout the project, I focus on identifying opportunities to apply our collective experience to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. By doing things smarter and collaboratively, we can overcome obstacles to accelerate successful outcomes that are testament to our technical excellence and wider integrated capabilities. This proactive and adaptive approach means we not only meet, but exceed the high standards expected in nuclear decommissioning.

Considering the critical role of skills development, succession planning, and collaboration, how do you envision addressing the current skills and resource gaps to deliver complex civil nuclear projects?

To effectively tackle the skills and resource gaps in delivering complex nuclear projects, a multi-faceted approach is essential with emphasis on skills development, succession planning, and attracting talent from other industries. A key strategy is to strengthen our early careers network by bringing in the younger generation through degree apprenticeships and graduate programs. Ensuring these individuals have access to mentors and the necessary support is crucial for their growth within the sector and fully supporting them through to chartership.

With approximately one third of the nuclear industry’s current workforce set to retire in the next 10 years, we must also attract talent from other sectors, bringing in diverse knowledge and expertise. Upskilling our workforce and making the civil nuclear industry appealing are essential to infuse fresh ideas and perspectives.

By focusing on upskilling and attracting new talent, we can make the nuclear industry an attractive career choice, ensuring a sustainable and innovative future. At ArchTam, we have successfully transitioned engineers from other sectors in the business into the nuclear team, thereby retaining talent within ArchTam and growing (and diversifying) our nuclear capability. This strategic move not only preserves our skilled workforce but also addresses the evolving needs of the industry by reskilling professionals to excel in their new roles. We ensure the engineers are well-equipped to effectively deliver our nuclear projects through structured training and mentoring, which complements their existing skill set in engineering delivery.

Given the significant growth potential of the nuclear industry and its crucial role in supporting the wider clean energy transition, what aspects of future developments in nuclear energy and decarbonization excite you the most? How do you see nuclear energy integrating into the broader energy mix to achieve our decarbonization goals?

The UK’s civil nuclear roadmap to 2050 aims to achieve 24 gigawatts of nuclear capacity, covering up to a quarter of the country’s projected electricity demand. This ambitious plan sets out the government’s vision for a dynamic civil nuclear sector, supporting the ambition to achieve net zero by 2050.

Our capabilities in engineering, design and environmental services position us well to support the roadmap. We also engage with local communities, who are critical to successful delivery. Our design and construction management capability supports both new and existing nuclear facilities in meeting the highest safety and efficiency standards.

One of the most exciting aspects of future developments in the civil nuclear industry includes the next generation of reactors which will support the country’s energy needs and provide a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

Achieving the UK’s energy transition requires a diverse mix of solutions, collectively enabling the transformation of the energy system to enhance security and accelerate the path to net zero. Nuclear is a crucial component of a sustainable energy future.

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Nuclear energy is a carbon-free source of reliable electricity and stable power production that can be paired with other forms of renewable energy. In our world of rising fuels costs and strong focus on greenhouse gas reductions, safe and effective operation of nuclear facilities can offer an effective and sustainable energy alternative. For nuclear facilities, an integrated Quality Management System (QMS) is fundamental to the execution of all lifecycle work from initial concept through to final site restoration. A QMS is not only essential for the safe design and operation of all work done at nuclear facilities, it is also critical in meeting very specific and stringent nuclear industry requirements.

Why is an integrated QMS critical to long-term success in nuclear energy?

When an integrated QMS is implemented at a nuclear site, all aspects of the facility’s operations are considered from initial siting and design through to the manufacturing of nuclear fuel, facility decommissioning and long-term waste management. These critical aspects are all considered and planned for at the outset, and are updated or enhanced through the site’s lifecycle. The integrated QMS provides verifiable proof that processes and behaviors have been established and are followed, ensuring a nuclear utility will operate to the highest standards of safety and reliability.   

Which standards apply in an integrated quality management system and what are the benefits? 

A QMS that is founded in a risk-based approach and integrates relevant program themes will not only ensure safe operation of facilities and protection of workers, the community and the environment, it will yield the most economical approach to project delivery—particularly in the highly regulated nuclear industry.

Within the Canadian regulatory framework, both conventional and nuclear quality requirements are explicitly outlined. The nuclear requirements are defined by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and regulatory documents are prepared by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. CSA works with stakeholders including regulators, utilities, vendors and academics to develop and maintain quality standards that support safe and reliable nuclear operations and address emerging areas. CSA standards represent the pool of knowledge and expertise of the nuclear industry, offering robust technical approaches and best practice guidelines. CSA standards that should be incorporated in a QMS include:

CSA N286-12 “Management System Requirements for Nuclear Facilities” – which provides a risk-based approach to facility owners, allowing flexibility within a variety of applications such as research, materials testing, medical uses (i.e., isotopes), electrical power generation and small modular reactors. This standard integrates themes starting with a robust “Nuclear Safety Culture” that then governs the overriding behaviours surrounding health, safety, environment, security, economics and quality.

CSA N286.7-16 – which addresses quality assurance requirements for software used in design, development, maintenance, modification, safety analysis, scientific and design computer programs that are applicable to high energy reactor plant.

CSA N299 – which provides programmatic requirements for the supply of items and services to the nuclear facility and licensees. A risk-based evaluation is performed to determine the level of the quality requirements of the work being undertaken. That is, a scoring system (per item and/or service) based on a series of simple questions can yield a QA level from 1 to 4, with 1 being the most stringent and 4 being the least stringent (very similar to ISO-9001). Suppliers are audited to determine the QA level they are qualified to deliver to the industry.

ISO 9001:2015 – which aims to provide a practical and workable QMS for improving and monitoring all areas of the business. This standard can help the organization increase efficiency, productivity, profit, and achieve improved customer retention and acquisition.

Delivering for the Canadian nuclear industry

We established our ArchTam Canada Nuclear Services team (ACNS) to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions for the Canadian nuclear industry. ACNS’s multi-disciplined teams work collaboratively in offices across Ontario to deliver tried and true engineering performance in all disciplines. We offer specialized procurement of items and services to the highest quality standards required by the industry, and are pioneering state-of-the-art solutions for emerging technology, namely Small Modular Reactors, facility decommissioning, and the long-term nuclear waste management program applied on Canada’s Deep Geological Repository.

As leaders in the nuclear services sector, we have developed a QMS that governs the oversight, audits, design and delivery of all projects servicing the nuclear industry. It is a risk-based approach that satisfies applicable industry requirements and certifications, and incorporates various delivery mechanisms to provide flexibility on specific client and contractual requirements.

An integrated QMS approach can be a key differentiator in achieving exceptional performance in the nuclear economy. When nuclear professionals thoughtfully apply these standards within our integrated QMS framework, we can carve away the unnecessary and deliver the appropriate quality requirements for the project with the highest level of efficiency. With this approach, we continue to be regarded as industry leaders and trusted advisors in all areas of the nuclear market.

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How do they go about this? Nuclear sites follow regulatory guidance from Management of radioactive waste from decommissioning of nuclear sites: Guidance on Requirements for Release from Radioactive Substances Regulations’ (the GRR)*. A feature of the GRR is that it allows disposal of suitable wastes in-situ or disposal of waste into existing below-ground structures on the site, if this represents the optimized solution and can receive all necessary regulatory approvals.

ArchTam is at the forefront on GRR consultancy for how to plan the end-states for nuclear sites. We assisted the Environment Agency (EA) in identifying the worldwide experience that exists on how below-ground structures have been used in the recent past, both in the nuclear and non-nuclear sectors. Our team translated this information into a format that readily informs its inspectors, so that they can provide advice and assess prospective applications under GRR to support permit surrender.

In-situ disposal and the disposal of wastes into existing structures are not new concepts, but have been associated with large void spaces, such as quarries or mineshafts for conventional waste disposal. The use of smaller, below-ground structures as waste repositories appears to be less common.

Our team explored the following topics (see tables below) with regulatory and nuclear site operator representatives and created two reports: one for the use of below-ground structures and one for waste emplacement considerations into these structures. These reports are now part of the EA’s toolkit for provision of advice and/or assessment of prospective applications under the GRR.

The approach to GRR implementation will evolve as UK nuclear sites work through their end-state strategy and assessments, as well as when they liaise with their environment regulators. It is crucial that those in the industry share their experiences, learning and information so that developments from one nuclear site can be applied, where appropriate, to others.

_{* Management of radioactive waste from decommissioning of nuclear sites: Guidance on Requirements for Release from Radioactive Substances Regulation, Version 1.0: July 2018}

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