Torness nuclear power station

East Lothian Council play an important role in making sure communities are prepared for the unlikely event of a nuclear or radiological emergency. While the day‑to‑day operation and safety of Torness is the responsibility of the site operator, East Lothian Council is legally required to plan for how the public would be protected if an incident were to have effects beyond the site boundary.

This planning is known as off‑site nuclear emergency planning. It focuses on protecting people, property, and the environment, and ensuring that clear, timely information is provided to the public before, during, and after an emergency.

Working closely with emergency services, health organisations, government agencies, and the nuclear site operator, East Lothian Council prepares and maintains an Off‑Site Emergency Plan. This plan sets out how an emergency response would be coordinated, how decisions would be made, and what actions might be taken to reduce any potential risk to the public, such as providing advice, support, or protective measures.

East Lothian Council also have a responsibility to ensure that people who live or work near Torness are given appropriate information in advance, so they know what to expect and what to do in the very unlikely event of an emergency. These arrangements are regularly reviewed, tested through exercises, and assessed by national regulators to make sure they remain effective and up to date.