The Dalton Cumbria Facility /
The Dalton Cumbria Facility is a £20m project to create a dedicated research centre in the linked disciplines of Radiation Sciences and Decommissioning Engineering.
Jointly funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the Dalton Institute of the University of Manchester, the Facility will provide much needed ongoing research and development study in key areas that will support the broader nuclear and energy agenda of West Cumbria.
The Facility itself will be built at Westlakes Science & Technology Park, adding to other research facilities such as the Geoffrey Schofield Laboratories and Westlakes Research Institute. The Facility will also maximise links with other West Cumbria resources such as the Technology Centre at Sellafield and the emerging National Nuclear Laboratory.
The two research disciplines will be overseen by academic leaders from their respective fields. Managing small teams they will lead studies and research projects of approximately 40 PhD students every year. As the students complete their PhDs new students will take their place leading to a constant stream of new research and highly qualified individuals, valuable resources to the local industry and community.
At present the final touches are being put to the project’s business case and a planning application for the new building that will be home to the Facility is expected to be made before the end of the year.
The Dalton Cumbria Facility will become an integral part of the drive to create a sustainable world class workforce for Britain’s Energy Coast, and will add to the significant pool of expertise and innovation that already exists in the area.
