Working to benefit local people

We know that a project of the scale of Hinkley Point C can have huge effects on the local community; there may be disruption to local traffic, construction noise and impacts on the environment. But there are also enormous opportunities; from new jobs to contracts for local businesses and suppliers as well as our education, skills and training initiatives, local people will gain now and in future generations.

We take our responsibility for minimising local disturbance and creating maximum local benefit very seriously. We have been working with community representatives to put long-term plans in place to ensure it. We are committed to transparency around the work being done, which is why up-to-date and accurate information about the work being done and its likely effects is always available online and at our Visitor Centre in Bridgwater.

The 2020 report ‘Hinkley Point C: Realising the socio-economic benefits’ demonstrates the benefits the project is already delivering for the local community, find out more by reading the report here.

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Frequently asked questions

Coronavirus

Q. Is construction at Hinkley Point C continuing?

A. The safety of our workers and the community is our first priority at Hinkley Point C. The project has robust safe working arrangements in place to prevent the spread of infection whilst enabling construction to continue. 

We have been able to slowly increase numbers on site in the last few months as we have gained experience with new ways of working. This includes staggering shifts to avoid congestion and creating separated teams to avoid the risk of infection.

We remain vigilant and we will be ready to adapt our approach if the pandemic situation changes. And we will continue to listen to the community and make improvements wherever we can.

The project is deemed by Government as equivalent to a project of critical national importance, as it will play a key role in providing the UK with reliable low-carbon electricity. Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy wrote an open letter to construction workers, which can be read here, thanking them for their support in this joint national effort.
 
Q. What steps has the project taken in response to the Coronavirus pandemic?

A. We follow guidance on safe working from industry bodies and the Government, and our performance is regulated by internal safety inspection and an independent regulator. We will continue to adhere to the latest Government advice and will not compromise on safety. 

  • A number of strict control measures have been introduced across the Project:
  • As numbers start to slowly increase on site, we are staggering shifts to avoid congestion. 
  • Separated teams are also in place to avoid the risk of infection. 
  • Workers will continue to have their temperature taken before entering the site via thermal imaging cameras (located at the park and ride sites and site entrance). 
  • We are looking to expand our testing capacity and aim to be able to test new starters for Coronavirus.
  • Protective screens have been installed in our canteens and on coaches. 
  • Extra buses are in operation to limit the number of passengers, facilitating social distancing, and face coverings are mandatory as they are on public transport in the rest of the country. 
  • Bus services for workers are focused on our park and ride sites where social distancing can be enforced, minimising stops in the community.
  • Enhanced cleaning of buses, canteens, building handrails, door handles, desks, eating areas, welfare facilities, toilets, is now routine.
  • Additional walkways have been introduced to allow travel on foot between construction site buildings – reducing the need for travel on internal buses.
  • Meeting rooms have been converted to provide additional areas available for breaks giving extra space.
  • Increased information, posters and announcements on Site to remind people to follow the rules
  • We are not planning for a full return to offices for those that have been successfully working from home. 

 

Q. What will be the impact on the local economy?

A. We are conscious that many people in the community depend on Hinkley Point C for their livelihoods. During the peak of the crisis, we continued to support the Somerset businesses that provide the project with transport, catering and accommodation. Life is still far from normal and the pandemic is not over, but getting back to work has many benefits for our suppliers and the jobs they support here in Somerset and beyond.

Q. How are you helping the community? 

The project and its contracting partners supported the local community and NHS during the crisis including : 

  • Delivered personal protective equipment to NHS (Weston General Hospital in Weston-Super-Mare and Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton) 
  • Donated personal protective equipment to Childrens Hospice South West 
  • Supported Fare Share South West by providing a chiller van to enable food deliveries to vulnerable people throughout the region 
  • Delivered 37,000 meals to under pressure workers in smaller NHS facilities like mental health units, community hospitals and care homes 
  • Partnered with Somerset Care to provide Hinkley Point C volunteers to undertake tasks such as gardening  
  • Provided 1,000 face masks to Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service 

Further information on the measures taken at Hinkley Pont C during the Coronavirus crisis can be found here. 

Q. How are you making decisions?

A. We are continuing to follow Government and Public Health England advice and taking expert advice to protect our workforce and the community. 

We work under the oversight of our independent regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). The ONR has inspected the site and has said that control measures in place at Hinkley Point C are appropriate.

We will also continue to work with the trade unions and listen to our workforce and the community.

Q. Where are workers living?

A. We took steps to concentrate our workforce on-site and out of the local community. Host Somerset is the booking portal for our accommodation facilities.

Q. I am a landlord how can I get support?

A. The Government has a range of support in place and some is specifically for landlords affected by COVID-19. Find out more here. 
 

HGVs

The current Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) limit is 500 vehicle movements per day.

What is a vehicle movement defined as?

A one-way journey counts as a single vehicle movement. For example, a HGV travelling from a freight management facility to the Hinkley Point C site constitutes a single vehicle movement. The HGV return journey from site would then count as another vehicle movement.

To help put this into context, approximately 16,000 vehicles are on the A39 south of Cannington every day.

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

EDF is committed to delivering 80% of the aggregate materials needed by sea. The jetty is now operational, with each barge delivering the equivalent of 300 lorry loads of aggregate. 

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

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?

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.

Recently delivered improvements include:

  • Cannington Bypass
  • 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.

Accommodation Campuses

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.  

To see positions currently available, please click here.

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:

DaysTimesPrices
Monday to Sunday9am - 9pm

5-a-side football pitch: £20 per hour

3G 11-a-side football pitch: £40 per hour or £60 for 2 hours

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.

Combwich Wharf

What construction will take place at Combwich Wharf?

The existing wharf will be refurbished to allow large loads to be brought in by sea.

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 commenced at the site, with the bulk of construction due to be complete by early 2021. The construction team will carry out the final pieces of work, such as landscaping, in Spring of 2021.

What works are already complete?

  • Works to the private access road are complete
  • Environmental elements such as the mammal crossing and otter fencing have been carried out
  • Construction and commissioning of the welfare facilities are complete 
  • Installation of services is complete 
  • Extension of Abnormal Loads Quay (ALQ) 
  • Temporary Flood Defence Bund 
  • Combwich Motor Boat & Sailing Club access road
  • Berth access ramp (for vehicle access) 
  • Scaffolding on the Abnormal Loads Quay (for access) 

 

What works can be expected in Spring 2020? 

  • Stone to be brought up to level and completed
  • Build of temporary retaining wall, for support during demolition works 
  • Works to the berth bed to allow construction activities
  • Errection of permanent fencing to reduce noise impact on residents 
  • Commence demolition and temporary works on the Abnormal Loads Quay (ALQ)

 

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.

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.

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.

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 

Are there any other sources of information?

In January 2020 EDF presented the latest plans, which have now been approved by Sedgemoor District Council, to the Parish Council and local residents. To view the presentation please click here.

Please see the latest progress updates here.

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 here. 

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.

Supporting the community during the coronavirus crisis

For general questions about the project, please visit the About Hinkley Point C page. 

What's going on now?

We carefully manage our works at Hinkley Point C, ensuring our construction activity has minimal impact on our neighbours. However, you may still see and hear some aspects of the work. This is a summary of some of our current works. 

For further information you can call us freephone on 0333 009 7070 at any time, or email us at hinkleyenquiries@edf-energy.com.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience these works may cause.

LocationDescription of works
Unit 2 Nuclear IslandIn August, Big Carl (SGC-250 crane) will be used to lift the second cup liner. It will be lifted from Bunker 5 where it has been constructed to the reactor building on Unit 2.
TunnellingA jack-up barge will be working offshore from late July collecting samples of the seabed in the areas into which the heads will be placed. In addition to the jack-up barge, two support vessels will be used to transfer personnel, deliver supplies and transport the samples back to dry land. Operations will be 24 hours a day with crew and project staff living on the barge.
Training CentreOne of our main contractors on-site, Bylor, has now opened a dedicated training centre. It will be used to ensure workers have the correct training to undertake tasks, such as working at height, and also up skill the workforce as part of our commitment to people development.
Southern AreaFollowing site set up, construction of the Emergency Access Road will begin. 
Site OperationsOur on site petrol station, known as the “fuel farm” is now operational. As one supplier will now be coordinating all the fuel deliveries, the number of tanker movements on the local road network will reduce.
Combwich WharfWorks will continue on the build of the temporary retaining wall, which will be used as support during the demolition works.    

Being part of the community

Hinkley Point C has already created 6,500 jobs, with a total of 25,000 job opportunities set to be created throughout the construction period. The project is also providing a boost to the local economy with significant prospects for businesses in the local area. We have also delivered substantial improvements to the local infrastructure, from skills centres to bypasses. Through Hinkley Point C, people of all ages have access to vital education and personal development programmes.

We have also set up a £20 million Community Fund for improvements for communities most affected by the development of Hinkley Point C. Over half of the fund has already been spent in supporting a number of exciting projects and good causes.

Within this section:

Find out more

Being a good neighbour

Our Main Site, Community and Transport Forums meet regularly, helping us to keep in touch with our closest neighbours and offer regular updates on progress.

More information, including the notes and supporting documents for the meetings of the Main Site, Community and Transport Forums, is available here. 

Within this section:

Find out more

Plugged in

Find out about the latest progress being made on site and what's happening in the local community, in the Summer 2020 edition of Plugged in.

 

In this edition...

Read more

Get involved in our Hinkley forums

Our Main Site, Community and Transport Forums meet regularly, helping us to keep in touch with our closest neighbours and offer regular updates on progress.

Community Forum

The Community Forum provides a way for EDF Energy 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 quarterly, with more than 75 groups represented. Members discuss and advise EDF Energy 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.

Meeting notes and related forum papers are available here.

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

Transport Forum

We launched the Transport Forum in February 2011, in order to provide a means for regular discussion between EDF Energy and representatives of the local community on the transport strategy. At meetings our members discuss and advise EDF Energy on key issues affecting the local road network and work to minimise the impacts to those living in the area.

Meeting notes and related forum papers are available here.

Main Site Forum

As part of our consultation we have established a Main Site Forum to provide a mechanism for regular discussion between EDF Energy and those neighbouring the Hinkley Point C site.

The Main Site Forum started in April 2011. Members discuss and advise EDF Energy on key issues affecting those living closest to the main site.

Meeting notes and related forum papers are available here.

Community bus service

 

The Community Bus Service has been suspended until further notice

We appreciate that the bus routes are an important service for our local communities and are working towards re-instating them in a safe manner. 

We will update this page once the service is running again. Thank you for your patience.

 

Sports facilities

The outdoor sports pitches at our accommodation campuses are available to the public for hire on a first come, first served basis. The facilities are suitable for a range of sporting activities, including five-a-side football, basketball and tennis.

Charges apply to members of the public wishing to hire these facilities. This charge contributes to the cost of general maintenance and use of exterior flood lights.

DaysTimesPrices

Monday to Sunday

9am - 9pm

5-a-side football pitch: £20 per hour

3G 11-a-side football pitch: £40 per hour or £60 for 2 hours

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

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The best way to contact us is by completing our online enquiry form.

Call us on 0333 009 7070 (24 hour free phone number).

If you have a question about your EDF bill or account, contact our customer services team on 0333 200 5100 or find out more here.

For media enquiries, email media@edfenergy.com.

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