Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts has welcomed the news that Trawsfynydd has been chosen as the site to lead Magnox’s reactor decommissioning project.

The decision means jobs at the site will be safeguarded for decades.

Mrs Saville Roberts said: "This is excellent news for Gwynedd - and, once the business case is finalised, can be anticipated to result in both safeguarding and increasing the number of well-paid and highly skilled decommissioning jobs at Trawsfynydd for the next 20 years.

“I understand the number of posts on site could increase to around 250 during 2021. Every effort should be made to ensure local people can continue to benefit from these opportunities.

“Presently, 97 per cent of the workforce live in North Wales, and 85 per cent of Pwerdy Trawsfynydd workers are Welsh speakers.

“There is a duty on the nuclear sector and today’s electricity users to take responsibility for the clear-up of sites, and Trawsfynydd’s twin reactors will be the first to be completely decommissioned in the UKm.

“In this respect, work undertaken here will lead the entire sector, and open opportunities for a whole new generation of engineers.

“I especially welcome the creation of six apprenticeships to start this autumn, with the likelihood of more to follow.”

She added: “I understand that the UK government has given the go-ahead for today’s announcement and I look forward to working with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, site managers and local stakeholders to bring forward the final business case by March next year.”