Prospects for growth and prosperity in West Cumbria: Nuclear decommissioning and regional economic adjustment

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to trace out the effects of decommissioning of the Sellafield nuclear complex on the economy of West Cumbria. I seek to show how decommissioning expenditures are stimulating the formation of an agglomeration of advanced nuclear processing and engineering firms in the region and how this process is reinforced by a diverse array of emerging private and public institutions. With the aid of patent data, I indicate some possible pathways of industrial development in the region. I then proceed to examine how policy makers might enhance the developmental impacts of decommissioning especially in regard to measures focused on inter-firm network activities, training, and institutional infrastructures.