Representation by Ian Cliff
- Date submitted
- 5 August 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am a regular visitor to East Suffolk where I was brought up. I am a member of the East Suffolk Travel Association, although I am not presenting the views of that organisation in this Representation. I am concerned that the proposed transport arrangements for construction materials, site workers and the removal of waste materials are more environmentally damaging than is necessary because of a failure to make full use of the East Suffolk railway line and its branch from Saxmundham to Leiston/Sizewell. The line already has capacity for more than the proposed two overnight freight trains of construction materials: a test run using the daytime timetable path previously allocated to freight trains carrying nuclear waste from Sizewell A was successfully made on 5 August 2020. Furthermore, if a passing loop were installed at Wickham Market For Campsea Ashe station, as originally proposed by EDF, capacity on the East Suffolk line would be enhanced to permit the operation of additional freight trains transporting construction materials, and possibly also passenger trains to carry workers to the site. A greater focus on the rail transport options would reduce environmentally damaging lorry and car traffic on the roads of East Suffolk and obviate the need for so much costly and damaging road construction in environmentally sensitive areas.