Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ)
- The DEPZ is the area closest to an AWE site.
- It is where detailed emergency plans are in place in the unlikely event of a radiation incident.
- Residents and businesses in this zone:
- Receive direct emergency information
- Are included in off‑site emergency planning
- May be advised to take immediate protective actions (such as going indoors and closing windows) if instructed
DEPZs are set and reviewed by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and local authorities.
AWE Emergency Text Alert Service
To improve how quickly people can be informed, AWE introduced an opt‑in emergency text alert system from 9th June 2025.
What the text alerts are for
- Used only in the unlikely event of a radiation‑related emergency
- Provide clear instructions on what to do
- Designed to reach people even if they are not at home
The system does not replace existing landline alerts or media announcements – it runs alongside them.
West Berkshire is home to two Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) sites, located in Aldermaston and Burghfield. Both sites are managed by AWE (PLC), known as AWE, which is an arm’s length non-departmental public body who are wholly owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and work in close collaboration with the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO).
Visit West Berks Council website for information on;