Final STIM rail deliveries complete a month early

Using rail deliveries has kept thousands of lorry journeys off Cumbrian roads

The final delivery of aggregate for our Southern Trench Interim Membrane (STIM) project has arrived at the Low Level Waste (LLW) Repository site, completing the project’s rail deliveries around a month ahead of schedule.  

At the Repository, Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is capping the trenches and vaults where low level waste was disposed of decades ago. The current focus is replacing the protective membrane, or liner, over the southern part of those trenches. The membrane keeps rainwater away from the waste beneath it, protecting people and the environment now and for generations to come, and it has to be completed before final capping of the northern trenches can begin. It is one of the most visible ways NWS delivers its vision of making nuclear waste permanently safe, sooner. 

The project requires a large amount of aggregate materials, brought in by train to the rail sidings at the Repository site and placed on the trench cap. Since the first campaign began in February 2025, around 330,000 tonnes have arrived on 365 trains. Bringing the materials by rail rather than road has kept around 17,368 lorry journeys off local roads, reducing traffic through nearby communities.

Christine Bradley, Head of Repository Site Project Delivery, said:

“These campaigns have been a fantastic example of partnership working. Network Rail and our colleagues at Nuclear Transport Solutions made these deliveries a priority, and their commitment alongside NWS teams and our supply chain partners is why we have completed safely and a month early. 

“Every train that arrived has brought final capping closer, and that is how we make nuclear waste permanently safe, sooner. I am incredibly proud of everyone who has contributed.”