Representation by Fiona Hay
- Date submitted
- 14 August 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I wish to voice my concerns about the above project. I am astounded at the estimated number of lorries and buses this project will demand and bring onto quiet, local roads. I believe this traffic is likely to continue every day for the duration of the building project which is anticipated to take many, many years. Added to this, there will be significant increases in the levels of pollution - something we are supposed to be reducing in the face of the climate emergency. I am astounded at the number of people who will be brought onto the site. I believe the large majority of these people will be brought from the Hinkley site although up to 2,500 people will be local commuting from as far as a 90 minute drive away again adding to congestion and pollution. I am astounded that this project is seriously being contemplated when one considers the impact on the local environment. Noise, light and air pollution threatens our health and also wildlife habitats. The damage to the Suffolk Coast and areas of outstanding natural beauty will be significant in terms of the landscape and quality of life to say nothing of the possible impact on the tourist industry. I am astounded that EDF want us, the tax payer to pay for this project the cost of which is running out of control and is significantly higher than originally proposed, running into billions. They seriously want us to have a new tax on electricity bills and to also pay for any overruns? I am also astounded that China is involved in this project. The Government moved away from China in providing 5G network equipment and yet we are allowing them to be involved in the building of a nuclear power station? I am astounded that this project is going to be using European Pressurised Reactors the track record of which is not very impressive (one in France which is 11 years late with numerous faults and overruns and another in Finland which has malfunctioning safety valves). In the face of climate change we need to be producing electricity from renewables which given the length of the Suffolk coastline there is little excuse for not taking advantage of be this by wind, solar and tidal power. Even those involved in the nuclear industry acknowledge that renewables are quicker, cheaper and save more CO2 than nuclear energy. This means we can do more to fight climate change for the same money. Sizewell C is anticipated to take at least 20 years to build and, therefore, it will be at least 20 years before the CO2 generated by the project can begin to be offset. I am astounded that the mere idea of this project is continuing despite all the very well known arguments outlined above. I would also be slightly perturbed if the leaders of our community (e.g. MP, Council) were supporting such an ill-conceived project which is destined to seriously impact on the lives of the people they serve.