EDF are proposing to increase the number of HGV movements to Hinkley C by up to 250 a day to complete work on the site's new jetty.

The request has been made and will be considered by Somerset County Council, West Somerset Council, Sedgemoor District Council and Highways England which will be considered later this month.

EDF say completion of the jetty will enable 80 per cent of the material needed to build the power station to be brought to the site by sea rather than by road.

The jetty is expected to be complete at the end of 2018 at the fully operational by 2019.

EDF Energy is proposing to put £4 million of extra funding into measures to mitigate the extra HGV movements.

This would help 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.

David Eccles, EDF Energy’s head of stakeholder engagement for Hinkley Point C, said: “We continue to work with the local authorities to minimise impact of the Hinkley Point C project. Our focus remains to maximise the use of deliveries to site by sea, but for a temporary period we need to increase our road deliveries.

"We have already delivered much of an agreed £20 million of local road improvements and if this proposal is accepted, additional funds will be invested into the local road network.

"We will continue to talk and listen to local businesses and communities about traffic and consider ways in which affected residents could be helped during the temporary period."

A spokesperson at Somerset County Council, said: "We recognise it is in all our interests for the Hinkley Point C project to progress. However, we must also ensure that the impacts of the proposal on local communities are addressed."

Councillor Peter Downing Sedgemoor District Council’s portfolio holder for infrastructure said: "We remain supportive of the EDF Energy project to build Hinkley Point C, recognising its national significance and the economic benefit to Sedgemoor and the wider South West.

"We would regard with concern the additional impact on an already stretched highways infrastructure of any increase in road traffic but would welcome the prospect of funding to mitigate the effect on our businesses and communities. We will continue to work with EDF Energy to identify the way forward."