THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Doubts raised over atomic station for Ulster

The matter of whether or not an atomic power station should be built in Northern Ireland was the focus of an interesting leader piece published in the News Letter on this day in 1958.

It read: “Ministers of the Northern Ireland Government are well accustomed to being pressed to undertake great public works – roads, bridges, dry docks, tunnels, and many other things. It must, therefore, have surprised the Minister of Commerce yesterday when the House of Commons seemed to be of one mind, that he should ‘go slow’ in the matter of the proposed atomic power station for Ulster.”

The leader continued: “Power stations are rarely welcomed by those who have to live in the neighbourhood of them, but in Great Britain proposals to erect atomic stations have aroused repugnance and strong feelings.”

There were several suggested sites for a proposed atomic power station suggested, these included the Antrim coast road “which would hardly be an unpopular venture” or perhaps the tip of the Ards peninsula or the remote district of Ballykinlar in Co Down.

The News Letter’s leader piece continued: “The first fine enthusiasm for atomic power stations has largely evaporated and it is clear that there are many problems attached to them which could be better solved elsewhere. The cost is too great for a small place like Northern Ireland to venture its money unless there is certainty that the scheme will be feasible, safe and profitable.”