Nuclear warhead convoy, Thursday March 23rd

Posted: 24th March 2023

A nuclear warhead convoy travelled northbound from AWE Burghfield today, Thursday 23rd March. It was heading to RNAD Coulport in Scotland and is expected to reach there tomorrow after spending the night in Yorkshire.

Nukewatchers monitored and tracked this convoy as it travelled back and forth across England, passing close to towns and cities, schools, hospitals and many communities.

Nuclear warhead carriers and MOD Police escort vehicles in the convoy are pictured on the A34 at Botley, Oxford, with an anti-nuclear campaigner waving peace and CND flags by the roadside.  

The nuclear warhead convoy of 20 or more vehicles regularly criss-crosses the UK by road and has logged 40 safety incidents in the last three years, according to official figures. In response to a request under freedom of information, the MoD released short summary logs of incidents involving the convoy during 2019, 2020 and 2021. The dates are blacked out and no locations are given. 

Of the 40 incidents, 22 are categorised as “operational” and 18 as “engineering”. Convoy vehicles have crashed twice and got caught up in other road accidents five times. They have suffered multiple brake faults, breakdowns and power losses. The convoy has also caused the closure of roads or motorway lanes 11 times and been delayed by lorry fires, a spillage and two outbreaks of Covid. 

This is the most dangerous cargo on our roads.

Click on the photo below to enlarge it.

Photo of convoy