CAMPAIGNERS say their battle against power plant proposals in Cannington is nearly won…but now the war to save Bridgwater will begin.

The Save Cannington Action Group has been fighting EDF Energy's infrastructure plans for Hinkley C, which it claims would destroy the village.

The pressure paid off this week when EDF, in its “preferred options” proposals, scrapped plans to build a campus to house hundreds of workers during construction and a lorry park in the village.

However, accommodation will instead be concentrated on two brownfield sites in Bridgwater; there will be freight logistics facilities on junctions 23 and 24 of the M5 and Combwich Wharf; and a western bypass will be built in Cannington.

SCAG chairman Alan Beasley thanked EDF for reconsidering the Cannington proposals, but said he could not understand why a Bridgwater bypass was rejected.

He said: “This doesn't alleviate the traffic problems on the A39 west of Bridgwater and the NDR - that bypass is desperately needed to move vehicles away from the town.

“Our first set of objectives for Cannington are almost achieved but the larger issue now is the future development of Bridgwater and the whole town needs to fight this together.”

EDF has launched a 12-week consultation believed to be the most extensive and wide-ranging ever for a British nuclear power station.

The firm's Richard Mayson said: “We will work with the community to minimise the impacts of the development and to ensure that our potential multi-billion pound investment delivers real opportunities for local people and businesses, as well as providing the nation with affordable low carbon electricity for five million homes.”

*HERE is a full run-down of EDF's 'preferred proposals' for Hinkley C:

·The southern limit of the main construction activity has been moved further north, in response to requests from residents.

·Early woodland planting will also take place to the south of the new construction fence and a landscaping bund (area of raised ground) will screen the on-site accommodation campus.

·Accommodation campuses for workers have been concentrated in Bridgwater and on the Hinkley Point C Development Site.

·Freight logistics facilities are focused on sites near Junctions 23 and 24 of the M5 and at Combwich Wharf.

·The western route has been selected for the Cannington bypass.

·No accommodation campus is planned at Cannington.

·There will not be a freight logistics facility at Cannington.

·The size of the park and ride facility at Cannington has been reduced and this will now be a temporary facility used during the construction phase and removed afterwards.

·No accommodation campus is planned at Williton following feedback from local residents.

·The size of the park and ride facility at Williton has been reduced and this will now be a temporary facility used during the construction phase and removed afterwards.

·Off-site accommodation campuses will be located on two brownfield sites in Bridgwater.

·The park and ride facility at Junction 24 of the M5 has been expanded.

·Freight logistics facilities will now be located only at Junctions 23 and 24 of the M5 and Combwich Wharf.

*THE dates for the public exhibitions are:

Today - North Petherton Community Hall, TA6 6QA, 12pm – 6pm

Tomorrow - Otterhampton Village Hall, TA5 1PR, 2pm – 8pm

Wednesday 14 July - Stogursey Victory Hall, TA5 1PR, 2pm – 8pm

Thursday 15 July - The Exchange, Bridgwater, TA6 4RR, 2pm – 8pm

Friday 16 July - Angel Place Shopping Centre, Bridgwater, TA6 3TQ, 9am – 6pm

Saturday 17 July - Danesfield School, Williton, TA4 4SW, 10am – 4pm

Monday 19 July - Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 1EH, 2pm – 8pm

Tuesday 20 July – Monday 4 October - EDF Energy office, 14 King Square, Bridgwater, TA6 3DG, 9am – 5pm (weekdays only)