Safety probe at Cheshire-based nuclear cargo firm

Urenco UK Ltd is based in Capenhurst, Cheshire

A company that transports uranium overseas has been told it must improve the safety of its operations.

Urenco UK Ltd (UUK), based in Capenhurst, Cheshire, had not made proper safety checks or made sure its shipments were correctly approved, industry watchdog the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) said.

The problems were identified during inspections by the ONR.

UUK has until 31 May to comply with the improvement notice.

Nick Blackburn, principal inspector from ONR's Transport Competent Authority, said all companies involved in transporting radioactive materials needed to make sure they were working within the law.

"We will engage with UUK during the period of improvement notice to ensure positive progress is made to address the shortfalls," he said.

The ONR said there had been no impact on the public or the environment from the failings it identified.