Hinkley Point C in the
local community

When are the works starting?

Construction has commenced at the Cannington Park and Ride site. Currently the team have mobilised to site and are carrying out enabling works to install a site compound, turning circle and parking for visitors during construction.

When are the works due to complete?

The works are due to complete in the summer of 2018.

Where is the site located?

The Park and Ride construction site is located to the south west of Cannington to the east of the A39. A map and letter sent to neighbours is available here.

What are the entrance details?

Entry to the site will be via a left turn only from the A39. Due to the speed of the road and the location of the current site entrance it is only safe to turn in left rather than across oncoming traffic. This also applies to exiting the site, left hand turn out down the A39 towards the first Cannington roundabout.

Will the original entrance be used for the new development?

No a new site entrance will be constructed as part of the new development.

Will there be any traffic lights on the bypass during construction?

There will be occasional need for temporary traffic lights on the A39 in order to aid access and egress of site deliveries in the first three weeks, before the turning circle is complete. There may also be need for temporary lights for short durations at various points in construction but there will not be temporary lights in this area for the full duration of construction.

Will there be a speed restriction in place?

Yes, a 30 mph speed limit will be implemented throughout the Cannington Park and Ride construction.  It has been decided that this restriction will be put in place from Sandford Corner through to the second Cannington roundabout in order to enclose both Cannington Park and Ride works and Somerset County Council works and will be in place for 12 months.

How many parking spaces will there be once the park and ride is completed?

252 in total including 239 car parking spaces, seven disabled spaces and six mini bus spaces.

Who will be using the Park and Ride?

Cannington Park and Ride will primarily be used by visitors to Hinkley Point C and infrequent workforce on-site.

What are the working hours for the construction?

We are restricted through planning conditions to the hours of 08:00 and 19:00 Monday - Friday (excluding public holidays) and 08:00 and 13:00 hours on Saturdays, unless otherwise approved by Sedgemoor District Council. Although we hold the right to work on Saturdays there is currently no Saturday working scheduled.

Who is building the park and ride?

Somerset Infrastructure Alliance (SIA) is building the park and ride on our behalf.

What infrastructure do you have near junction 23 of the M5?

In early 2018 we officially opened our park and ride and freight management facility. It was delivered on time and to budget. This site is part of our wider transport strategy to minimise vehicle movements through Bridgwater. In addition, we also signalised the roundabout above the M5. Making this motorway junction run more efficiently during busy periods.

Sandford Corner

Will any additional works need to take place at Sandford Corner?

There are a small number of remedial repairs that need to be carried out at Sandford Corner, which will be carried out the weekend of 10th and 11th March.

Will traffic management be required?

Yes, 4-way traffic lights will be temporarily installed during these works. The decision has been taken to carry out the works during the weekend to cause minimal disruption to road users.

Why do these works need to be carried out?

These works are to be carried out before Somerset County Council adopt the roundabout and road layout.

Roadworks – Bath Road and Frederick Road

Is Frederick Road being closed permanently?

Frederick Road will be “stopped up” at its junction with Bath Road. It is not being closed completely.

The access onto Bath Road from Frederick Road is being permanently closed. This is because the new access to the campus will be located opposite Frederick Road and involves traffic lights and new filter lanes for the junction. The closure is required to ensure it is safe and continues to keep traffic flowing on the Bath Road. We’re working with Somerset County Council to ensure the modification is designed and constructed effectively.

The campus site already has permission for future housing once the accommodation campus is no longer in use. This new housing will use the same road access as the campus, meaning the stopping up of Frederick Road will need to be permanent in order to maintain safety and traffic flow.

A letter was sent to residents living near where the work is taking place in February.

The official permission to undertake this work is here.

Appropriate signage will be in place to ensure drivers are fully aware before the road is permanently stopped up.

Will it cause rat running in neighbouring streets?

Signage and advanced warning will be carefully managed to help all road users. Somerset County Council are ultimately responsible for the road network and they oversee and approve all changes.

Will footpaths be affected?

Yes, footpaths will be closed/or diverted temporarily during the works. This is for the safety of the public and to ensure we can build the scheme as quickly as possible.

Will temporary alternative footpaths be in place for pedestrians?

Yes, there will be alternative routes as part of the diversion for the footpath closures – these will be clearly marked.

How long will these roadworks be taking place?

Once started, the current programme is 44 weeks.

Will there be temporary traffic restrictions on Bath Road?

The works on Bath Road will commence on the 6th November 2017. Temporary traffic lights will be installed for three weeks and will run for 24 hours per day, from 8th - 12th January and 22nd January - 2nd February. This is to protect the safety of the workforce, general public and all road users.

After this period the temporary lights will be removed but lanes will be narrowed slightly. We will work hard to keep traffic flowing smoothly as we undertake this work. We apologies for any inconvenience caused by these works.

How will the traffic be managed?

The Traffic Management Plan has been agreed with Somerset County Council through temporary traffic road orders allowing us to take possession of the highway to complete the works. The local subcontractor will manage the traffic and ensure that all is set out as per agreed Traffic Management plans. These will be monitored and adjusted accordingly if improvements need to be made.

Why are the works needed?

The road works are required to support the development of the new campus accommodation and to ensure minimal disruption to the Bath Road from the campus entrance when it is in operation by improving the road layout.

What are the working hours?

The working hours are 7am – 7pm on weekdays as per the agreed working hours within the Development Consent Order. We could also work 7am -1pm on Saturdays should we need to.

Cannington Park and Ride

Why are these works taking place?

An access point to the park and ride is being created so we can safely construct and operate a temporary park and ride in Cannington.

Will we see temporary traffic lights?

There is only minimal temporary traffic light usage planned for the works being carried out at Cannington Park and Ride. Two-way traffic will be maintained as far as possible.

Will there be a speed restriction on the A39?

Yes, there is a 30 mph speed restriction on the A39 for safety.

How will the road change once work has been completed?

A new entrance is being installed to the Park and Ride facility. This junction will be a left-hand turn only for entering and exiting the site.

For further information on the Cannington Park and Ride, and associate works, please see the Cannington Park and Ride tab within the FAQs section. 

Why are the number of lorry movements to Hinkley Point C increasing?

The HPC project is seeking permission from the relevant authorities to temporarily increase the number of HGV movements by up to 250 per day until the jetty on site is fully operational. The request is being made to help ensure the build of Hinkley Point C remains on schedule. Details about the request can be found here.

Is this a large increase?

To help put this into context approximately 16,000 vehicles are on the A39 south of Cannington every day, so the requested increase is relatively small.

How long would the proposed increase in HGVs last for?

This is linked to our jetty becoming fully operational. The jetty will enable 80 per cent of the aggregates needed to build the power station to be brought to the site by sea rather than by road. It is expected to be completed at the end of next year and become fully operational in 2019.

Why isn’t the Jetty ready yet?

We are making good progress with work on the jetty. Road improvement works, including a bypass for the village of Cannington, were planned and completed ahead of the completion of the jetty in order to minimise impact on the local road network.

How does this affect EDF Energy’s commitment to move 80% of construction materials by sea?

EDF Energy’s commitment to deliver 80% of aggregate material by sea once the jetty is available remains in place.

What hours of the day are HGVs allowed to travel to Hinkley Point?

HGV deliveries are not permitted on the local highway network between the hours of 22:00 and 07:00 (Monday to Saturday), other than in exceptional circumstances agreed with the Somerset authorities. HGVs on the local highway network on Sundays or on public holidays are not permitted.

Will there be HGV movements on a Sunday?

We are not seeking to change the existing permission in relation to Sundays - HGV deliveries on Sundays or Public Holidays are not permitted.

What is being done to improve transport infrastructure?

As part of the request for the temporary increase in HGV movements, we are proposing a further £4 million that could be put directly into traffic and transport to manage any effects of the proposed increase in the number of HGV movements, helping to maintain roads, contribute to the Somerset County Council’s traffic control centre, and create more walking and cycling routes.

The extra funding could also support construction of the long awaited Colley Lane Southern Access Road which is due to be decided by Somerset County Council later this month.

Over £20 million of road improvement schemes have already been delivered in Somerset, on the routes to Hinkley Point, leaving a permanent legacy of safer roads.

Currently the Junction 23 roundabout above the M5 is being upgraded. Recently delivered improvements include:

• Increasing the width of the highway at the A38 Bristol Road/The Drove junction
• A new left turn slip road to improve operation of the Wylds Road/The Drove Junction
• Upgrades to signal arrangements and carriageway alignment at the A39 Broadway/A38 Taunton Road Junction
• Two new roundabouts at points on the road network that had evidence of frequent accidents

Somerset County Council has also been busy delivering (with our financial contributions of over £8million) additional improvements and initiatives in and around Bridgwater, including walking and cycling improvements.

What is being built?

We are building campuses in Bridgwater and at the Hinkley Point C site to accommodate workers who move to the area. The Bridgwater campus is the largest of these developments. The site is located on part of a former plastics factory to the north of the A39 (Bath Road).

The campus will provide living space and recreational facilities for 850 workers within 25 separate accommodation buildings. The campus 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.

When will it be finished?

We are confident the campus will be operational in 2018 and we expect it to be operational for about six and a half years. When we no longer need the temporary accommodation the site will most likely be developed for permanent housing. After being used for Hinkley Point C, the buildings will 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.

Why are you housing workers in Bridgwater?

Some staff have already moved permanently to the area, or commute in. Others already rent locally, and about 500 will live on the campus we’re also building on the Hinkley Point C Site. The campus in Bridgwater will temporarily host almost 1000 workers.

Why have you removed the plans for accommodation at Bridgwater and Taunton College?

Our plans have evolved and it’s more efficient if we have a single accommodation campus in Bridgwater. The Planning Inspectorate authorized this change in autumn 2017. Hinkley Point C will provide vital low carbon electricity for a generation, require 900 permanent job opportunities for its planned 60 years of operation, generate £4 billion of investment into the south west economy and leave a lasting legacy of increased skills employment opportunities more widely. Bridgwater itself is receiving a very sizeable benefit, which includes huge investment that’s explained well here.

Aren’t the workers going to cause problems?

We don’t expect them to, they will be working hard and will need to relax and wind-down when they are not working. There will be comprehensive facilities for the workers including sports pitches and welfare facilities.

All our workers will have signed up to our code-of conduct and we expect them to comply with this. If they don’t we’ll 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.

Is the site contaminated?

Not anymore. It used to be when the site was formerly a factory, but has been extensively cleaned up by specialist contractors. The Environment Agency and Environmental Health Officers have full visibility of what contamination was removed. If any remedial contamination is identified during the build it will be properly managed.

What else have you done in the area?

We’ve already invested over £1million in sports facilities in the area, we’ve built two great new replacement football pitches, helped fund a club house and are working closely with local schools and Bridgwater and Taunton College. We will operate the campus sensitively, and plan to enable residents to use the sports pitches when our workers are not using them.

We will share more on how we will operate the campus when our plans are fully developed. If you have any suggestions we’d love to hear them.

There is also a multi-million community fund that community groups can apply to. More information is available at westsomersetonline.gov.uk/cim

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.

Is my property being structurally affected by the work being carried out at Sedgemoor Campus or on Bath Road?

1. Works from remediation of the old Innovia site

EDF Energy took ownership and responsibility for the land in July 2014 after remediation of the site was complete and therefore cannot comment on any vibration whilst the works were undertaken. Innovia films owned the site before us.

2. Piling activity during the construction of the Sedgemoor Campus

In line with good practice, surveys of the closest houses (Jubilee Terrace) were undertaken prior to the piling works commencing, and vibration monitoring was carried out during the works.

To reduce vibration a small piling rig was selected to be used and the monitoring results prove that vibration from site activities was low. British Standards for vibration (BS 5228 Part 4 and BS 73852) establish that these levels of vibration could not cause cosmetic damage to nearby houses, even if they had significant pre-existing defects. At the request of residents, two additional properties on the Bath Road were recently surveyed.   

With monitoring results confirming low levels of vibration and nothing evidenced in the surveys that would not be expected in properties of the age/condition in question, our engineers have concluded that nearby properties have not been affected by construction activities from the Sedgemoor Campus.

3. Works on the A39 and grass verge

The works being carried out on the A39 and grass verge cause no more vibration than that generated by a lorry travelling on the A39. It should be noted that vibrations from adjacent works or the busy road will be felt (as explained in BS 73852), however feeling vibrations does not equate to damage being caused to properties.  

We are confident that the works being conducted on the A39 are not causing unusual levels of vibration, but vibration monitoring has been initiated and will continue during the remainder of the works to help provide evidence and reassurance.

Will access to my property be maintained during the work being carried out on Bath Road and the grass verge?

Yes - the site construction team will liaise with you to maintain access and egress to your property. The fencing currently situated on the grass verge adjacent to Bath Road is there for the safety of the workers, pedestrians and all road users. This fencing has to remain in place for the duration of the works. Occasionally, fencing maybe extended onto the inner Bath Road. We will remove the fencing as soon as possible on completion of the works.

Why have the works slowed or stopped (5 Apr 18)?

Additional, uncharted cables have been discovered under the grass verge opposite the campus. The design has been altered and approved to accommodate these important services, and work will now progress as swiftly as possible.

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 £20 million have been established to mitigate the impact of the HPC 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’s current plans at Sedgemoor Campus outline the following times and prices for the community use of the sports facilities:

You can book to use these facilities on the HOST website here.

5. HOST will also be 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.

6. We will of course ensure the grass verge is, as far as possible, restored at the end of the main construction process in line with the approved scheme.

What measures will be put in place for Knowle Road with the increase in traffic?

It is acknowledged that as a result of the closure of the junction of Frederick Road with Bath Road that local travel patterns may alter but we don’t expect the volume of traffic on surrounding roads to be high once travel patterns settle down. Monitoring was carried out prior to the works being undertaken and the extent of the impacts of the development on the local network will be reviewed by EDF Energy and Somerset County Council post completion.

Why is there no permanent signage on the junction with Frederick Road and Parkway outlining the closure?

A sign has been erected at the junction of Frederick Road and Parkway; currently it reads ‘Bath Road closed’. This is a temporary arrangement in order to deter drivers from attempting to access Bath Road, as the original sign that had been put up was stolen. A new sign is currently being produced and will be erected soon.

The construction team will be checking daily to make sure the sign is still correctly situated as interfering with road signs is an offence. Consideration will be given to adding a permanent sign to this junction to explain the new road layout once the scheme is complete.

Will the development affect the flood risk in the area?

The new drainage plan, which has been designed with and approved by the relevant authorities, will reduce 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 will be pumped 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.

A number of trees have been removed from the area – will these be replaced? What level of screening will be provided?

A total of 21 semi-mature trees are proposed to be replanted along the grass verge, though the precise details of the landscaping plan have yet to be agreed. Additional landscape screening will be provided in the form of an elevated bund on the edge of the campus build. These plans will need to be submitted to Sedgemoor District Council for approval in due course. A provisional draft plan for the replanting can be found here for information. If you have any immediate comments or observations, please feedback to us.

Have your works restricted emergency services getting to my property?

No - the width of the inner Bath Road meets the legal requirement for emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and fire engines, meaning access to your property is not affected. 

Cars are crossing the footpath illegally to access the inner Bath Road - what will you do to stop this happening?

Cones have been put in place to deter road users from performing this illegal activity. There are no plans to install any permanent barrier in this area. Should the illegal manoeuvring persist post completion of the scheme, contact should be made with the Police.

Is the air quality outside my property monitored throughout these works?

We can confirm that Sedgemoor District Council’s Environmental Health team have 2 diffusion tubes placed in the vicinity of the works. One that backs directly on to the campus site on the lamppost adjacent to the house that was closest to the previous sports and social club and one at the junction with Parkway. These tubes are changed monthly and analysed annually. The results have been analysed very recently and we can confirm that there are no recorded exceedances in this area. This monitoring will continue as we are required to provide a report to DEFRA each year. Sedgemoor District Council also publish reports on it’s website, this can be viewed here.

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 will also enable 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. The current plan here shows the latest design.

When are the works starting?

Enabling works at Washford Cross Park and Ride site (formerly known as the Williton Park and Ride) are scheduled to begin May 2018. These works will involve installing a site compound, turning circle and parking for visitors during construction.

When are the works due to complete?

The works are due to complete in the autumn of 2018.

Where is the site located?

The park and ride construction site is located to the west of Williton, north of the A39.

What are the entrance details?

Entry to the site will be via the Washford Cross roundabout to the A39, followed by a left turn into the site.

Will the original entrance be used for the new development?

Yes, the original entrance will be kept.  We will also remove vegetation to allow for improved sight lines.

Will there be a different speed restriction in place?

No there will be no change of speed restriction on the A39 or the B3190.

How many parking spaces will there be once the park and ride is completed?

160 in total, including 156 car parking spaces and four mini-bus spaces.

Who will be using the park and ride?

Washford Cross Park and Ride will primarily be for workers living to the west of Hinkley Point.

What are the working hours for the construction?

We are restricted through planning conditions to the hours of 07:00 and 19:00 on weekdays (excluding public holidays) and 07:00 and 13:00 on Saturdays, unless otherwise approved by West Somerset District Council. Although we hold the right to work on Saturdays there is currently no Saturday working scheduled.

Who is building the park and ride?

Somerset Infrastructure Alliance (SIA) is building the park and ride on our behalf.