The page provides access to a series of quarterly reports on the GDA process. The reports, which summarise where we are and highlight the key challenges we face going forward, are part of our drive to increase the public understanding of our role in assessing the safety and security of new nuclear power station designs, and how we are progressing against our overall timeframe.
We continue to make good progress on our assessment, including working closely with the requesting parties and overseas regulators on the identification and resolution of technical issues. The HSE remains on course to publish its technical reports at the end of its Step 3 on 27 November 2009, and the Environment Agency is preparing for its consultation in 2010.
In July this year, our GDA assessment passed the half-way point on our programme. During that time, we have secured effective and efficient joint working, including introducing a one-stop point of contact for GDA and achieving levels of openness and transparency not seen before on this type of project.
We remain on course to complete a meaningful GDA in June 2011.
We have continued to make good progress on technical issues and assessment resources. We have also continued to work closely with the Requesting Parties, potential operators, overseas regulators and other stakeholders, as well as issuing guidance and discussion documents, and improving public access to information and ourselves.
General progress remains satisfactory towards a June 2011 completion for GDA of the two designs still undergoing GDA: the AP1000 and EPR, and also for the update (Step 3) reports being issued in November this year. Resource shortage remains a key threat to satisfactory progress, and mitigation measures are being implemented. Extensive interchange with industry, overseas regulators and other stakeholders continues.
