ENERGY firm EDF proposes a bypass to the west of Cannington to cope with traffic to its proposed Hinkley C nuclear power station, but insists it does not want a bypass around Bridgwater.

A series of public events have been held during phase two of EDF's consultation process over Hinkley C, and last week people got to see plans for a western bypass around Cannington.

Some villagers had called for a bypass to the east of the village, while there have also been strong calls for a bypass from Dunball to Hinkley Point to take the strain off existing roads.

Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger brought up the issue of the bypass during a nuclear debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

He said: “EDF Energy commissioned research into how the work would help the local economy. It estimates that £100 million will be spent every year during the building work and roughly £40 million a year will be spent thereafter, but I ask the Minister-is that enough?”

“One facility that we lack, for example, is a decent road that bypasses heavily populated areas and goes straight to the power plant.

“That is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity given the huge number of lorries required during the plant's building phase, which will go on for seven years.”

The energy company will be taking comments on the preferred proposals until October 4.

MERCURY reporter Laura Nesbitt assesses some of the key elements of EDF's “preferred proposals” for its proposed Hinkley C power station.

Roads

A ROAD bypassing Cannington on its western side is proposed to alleviate traffic through the village. It would start at the current A39 roundabout and link with the top of the village near Rodway Farm.

But a northern Bridgwater bypass from Dunball to Hinkley Point has been rejected. EDF said the main traffic to the power plant - freight vehicles and buses - would be dispersed across the current network of roads. Additionally, a northern bypass would take around four years to build.

Park and Rides

THE A39 at Cannington would be home to a new 360-space park and ride, which would be returned to green fields when no longer required.

A 740-space park and ride would be based at junction 23 of the M5, while junction 24 would hold 670 spaces and Williton an extra 310 spaces.

Accommodation

TEMPORARY campuses for workers at Hinkley Point and Bridgwater would be built in phases, with a maximum of 700 capacity at the power plant site, up to 1,075 on the former Innovia site near Bath Road in Bridgwater, and up to 150 near Bridgwater College.

Freight and logistics

FACILITIES will be built in Combwich, along with sites at junctions 23 and 24 of the M5.

EDF said it wants to take around 80% of the bulk construction material into Hinkley Point by sea, via a temporary jetty in the Severn Estuary and Combwich Wharf - which would also house a storage facility.