What Happens at Aldermaston?

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Aldermaston is a place that many people in the UK may have heard or, but there are many that have not. Shrouded in secrecy for good reason, this is the place where Britain’s nuclear warheads are made, maintained and eventually decommissioned. When the weapons are ready for use, they are loaded onto one of the four Trident submarines in the Royal Navy’s fleet, ready to go out and patrol the oceans as the country’s nuclear deterrent.

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Weapons are sometimes brought to Aldermaston from the submarines for maintenance on what is known as a nuclear convoy. Strict safety protocols such as escorts and a security seal ensure that the weapons are transported safely.

Although it is understandably a highly secure facility, Aldermaston does play a huge role in research and defence work, as well as building and maintaining the current weapons. This includes working internationally to look out for any nuclear testing that has happened abroad and working with the Government to advise on nuclear safety.

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Some organisations, such as the CND and the SNP are opposed to the UK having nuclear weapons and have expressed concern about the safety of them, particularly when they are travelling in the convoys, where they fear the weapons could fall into the wrong hands, or an accident could cause a  disaster on British soil.

The Ministry of Defence, who is in charge of the weapons, says that safety is paramount and the movement of the weapons is safe, but as it would risk national security not a lot is known of the exact safety arrangements.

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