Hinkley Point C in the local community

What accommodation has been built?

Two accommodation campuses have been built as part of the project, one in Bridgwater and one at the Hinkley Point C site, to accommodate workers who move to the area. The Bridgwater campus is the largest of these developments with the site located on part of a former Innovia factory to the north of the A39 (Bath Road).

The campus provides living space and recreational facilities for 986 workers, it is designed with an amenity building which includes a canteen, laundry and gym. One full size and two 5-a-side pitches will also be available on the site for use by our workers and members of the public at certain times. For detail, see table below.

How do I get a job at Sedgemoor or Hinkley Campus?

If you wish to register your interest in opportunities at the campus, please register your interest online. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call a member of the team on 0800 029 4289.  

View currently available positions.

How do I book a room at Sedgemoor or Hinkley Campus?

The campuses are for the Hinkley Point C workforce only and are being managed by HOST. To book a room please visit, host-somerset.co.uk.

What will happen with the Sedgemoor Campus site once Hinkley Point C no longer need the accommodation?

After being used for Hinkley Point C, the buildings may be removed but key infrastructure will be maintained for future development. We’ve been working closely with Sedgemoor District Council and the infrastructure we’re developing fits well with their long-term plans for Bridgwater.

Aren’t the workers going to cause problems?

We don’t expect them to. They will be working hard when on shift and we have provided comprehensive facilities, including sports pitches and welfare facilities, to allow space to relax and wind-down when not working.

Additionally, all of our workers have to sign up to our code of conduct and we expect them to comply with this. If they don’t, we will take action. We have also developed comprehensive plans to support our workers and neighbouring communities to ensure there is successful integration. The police have additional resource and Sedgemoor District Council have been funded to have an extensive package of community support. You can find out more by contacting Kristy Blackwell at the Together Team on 01278 435216.

What are you doing with all the other land you own nearby?

We’re responsibly managing the land we’ve acquired, including Sydenham Manor, the listed building we own. It’s probable that land not required for the Hinkley Point C temporary campus will be sold for residential and commercial development, and we’ll continue to work with the Council to align with their long-term plans where possible for this area. Our core business is producing low carbon electricity.

Will we receive any compensation for the inconvenience that the works on Bath Road and the grass verge have caused?

We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that these works have caused. There are a number of ways in which this inconvenience is addressed:

1. If you feel your property has reduced in value as a direct result of the works being carried out, there are legal protections available to you. You should seek independent legal advice on this matter.

2. Community Funds totalling £20million have been established to mitigate the impact of the Hinkley Point C project on the local community. Please visit hpcfunds.co.uk to understand how these funds can benefit your area. It is important to note that individuals cannot bid for money but this will need to be done by an established community group, local authority or charity.

3. Funds have already been granted to support the Sydenham Together project and to enhance Coronation Park.

4. HOST is the joint venture who manages the campus and they have outlined the following times and prices for the community use of the sports facilities:

To book, or for further information, please email Hinkley Leisure at info@hinkleyleisure.com.

5. HOST are recruiting local residents to work as an integral part of the team to manage and operate the campus. There will be training and career opportunities as part of this.

Has the development affected the flood risk in the area?

The new drainage plan, which has been designed with and approved by the relevant authorities, has reduced the flood risk to the area.

The drainage arrangements are split into two areas: A. the area of the new campus, and B. the area of the new roadways

A. The area of the campus largely extends over the former Innovia site which had a significant amount of impermeable landscaping draining. The campus drainage has been designed to link in with the drainage masterplan for the area and catch storm water hitting impermeable surfaces such as roads and roofs and allowing it to drain into a new rhyne. This rhyne is 800m long and extends nearly half the circumference of the site. This new storage rhyne pumps out to the wider rhyne network.

B. The drainage system that has been approved for the roadways employs a 40m-long storage tank and a flow control devise, storing and slowly letting water into the combined sewer in the Bath Road.

Why is the bus stop so large and the grass verge so small?

The original plans provided for an on-carriageway bus stop. However, Bath Road is the A39 and is the main arterial route into Bridgwater from the east. There is therefore a need to ensure that traffic is not held up when buses are setting down and picking up passengers. There is also a risk that the operation of the junction would be impacted if the bus stop were kept on carriageway.

The bus stop has been designed with dimensions sufficient to enable vehicles to exit the A39 and decelerate in a safe manner prior to coming to a stop. The layout also enables buses to be kept clear of the running carriageway to ensure they do not interrupt the flow of traffic on the A39. The exit taper has been designed to enable buses to merge safely on to the A39.

There is also a need to ensure that facilities for all road users are provided for when new junctions are provided. These facilities must be designed with all road users in mind, including less confident cyclists. Where possible, off road cycle facilities should be provided and a width of 3.5m is recommended to provide for an effective separation between cyclists and pedestrians.

The scheme was therefore adjusted to incorporate these items resulting in the verge being reduced and the hard standing being increased.

What construction will take place at Combwich Wharf?

The existing wharf will be refurbished to allow large loads to be brought in by sea. The works will involve removing the existing Transfer Slab Quay, an important part of the abnormal loads quay which will provide the main area in which parts will be offloaded from the barge. The existing slab is being removed to allow new piles to be installed, at a greater depth than previous ones. The piles will be installed using vibrationary and drilling techniques to minimise disturbance to residents.

The refurbishment will enable the large, and often very heavy, pieces of equipment needed to build the new power station to be delivered via Combwich Wharf. 

Can I receive notifications regarding the works taking place at Combwich?

If you would like to receive updates regarding the wharf refurbishment, please send us your email address and name, mentioning the Combwich Wharf Distribution List in your enquiry.

Please see the latest progress updates.

Will lorries travel through Combwich village to get to the wharf?

An existing private road will be used to transport deliveries arriving at the wharf, it leads straight onto the C182.

When will the works take place?

Works have already begun on site with the bulk of construction expected to be completed by Summer 2021.

How is construction noise monitored?

Whilst we make every effort to keep noise disruption to a minimum, noise monitoring, which has been approved by Sedgemoor District Council, is in place. They are notified of any noise exceedances along with our environment team who take necessary action to ensure we are working within our set limits. 

What are the working hours for construction?

Construction activity is permitted to take place between the following times:

Monday to Friday – 0800 to 1900

Saturday – 0800 to 1300

The workforce may complete start-up and shut-down activities outside of these hours.

How often will dredging activities take place?

You can expect to see dredging activities taking place more regularly in the coming years, as the wharf receives an increased number of deliveries.

Do you have any information regarding recent deliveries?

Combwich Wharf has already facilitated a number of deliveries for Hinkley Point C, learn more about the deliveries here:

Main Fuel Tanks 

Tunnel Boring Machine Equipment 

Noise Mitigation 

What funding is available to Combwich residents?  

Funding of £500,000 is available to communities in Combwich.

Here are a few examples of where the monies are already benefiting local residents:

• Combwich Motor Boat and Sailing Club purchased a Cornish gig boat and other associated equipment to support ongoing development of new sporting opportunities in the parish
• Installation of local noticeboards
• Purchase of IT equipment for the local primary school
• Support of Combwich Community Choir

If you have an idea for future projects that could benefit from the funding, you can take it forward via the Otterhampton Parish Council clerk.

Alternatively, if you would like to apply for funding outside the area of Combwich, please contact Somerset Community Foundation.

I have a question about the works, how should I contact you? 

Please visit the contact us page to get in touch and we’ll be happy to help. 

The main phase of works for the Southern Infrastructure Project has now been completed. As part of our Nuclear Site Licence and emergency arrangements, we are required to have an alternative route onto site should anything happen to the main road (the C182) to the site. 

We have now built an Emergency Access Road which offers alternative access to the station.

Can I still use the footpath near RVP4?

For safety reasons, the usual footpath across the field is currently diverted down Ben Hole Lane where it links bank to the South West Coast Path. Signage is in place to show walkers where to go.

When will the area be open to the public?

We are hoping to be able to open the area for local residents to enjoy from late Spring 2021.

Will the Emergency Access Road be used for general Hinkley traffic?

No, the Emergency Access Road will only be used in the case of an emergency or by maintenance vehicles tasked to maintain the Southern Area.

The Community Forum provides a way for EDF and representatives of the local community to discuss the new nuclear build project at Hinkley Point C. This is in addition to the Site Stakeholder Group, a long-standing body that considers all matters relating to the Hinkley Point A and B stations.

The Community Forum meets three times a year, with more than 75 groups represented. Members discuss and advise EDF on key issues affecting the community and work with us to minimise the impact and maximise the benefits of new nuclear build to those living in the area.

If you represent a local group or organisation and would be interested in joining the Community Forum, please contact us on 0333 009 7070. 

• Meeting notes and related forum papers

The Main Site Forum was created in April 2011 to provide a mechanism for regular discussion between EDF and those neighbouring the Hinkley Point C site.

Members discuss and advise EDF on key issues affecting those living closest to the main site.

• Meeting notes and related forum papers