THE firm behind Hinkley Point C nuclear power station has brought forward the building of a Cannington bypass by six months.

EDF Energy announced today that work on the bypass would now start in the middle of next year, subject to planning approval, and be completed in 2015.

An EDF spokesman said: “This refinement to the indicative phasing schedule will further limit traffic impacts on the local community, whilst ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place in good time to support the main construction of the proposed station.”

Alan Beasley, chairman of the Save Cannington Action Group, said: “I welcome this announcement but they should be bringing it forward even further.

“Work should be starting now.”

He added: “We are still pressing for a bypass for both Cannington and Bridgwater.”

EDF also revealed today that building of the freight laydown facility at Combwich would now start after the completion of the Cannington bypass, rather than while the bypass is being built.

The EDF spokesman said: “This will allow traffic to use the bypass for the delivery of construction materials that do not arrive via the temporary jetty on-site.”