Representation by Sibton Parish Council (Sibton Parish Council)
- Date submitted
- 13 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Parish councils
Relevant Representation by Sibton Parish Council on the application by EDF to construct Sizewell ‘C’ nuclear power station. We are disappointed that EDF are still not proposing to make full use of the East Suffolk Line. With a passing link and changes to level-crossing signals they would be able to run more freight trains and further ease the pressure on the road system. [Stage 4 consultation – Project Overview 2.1.3]. An additional 325 to 500 loaded HGVs on the A12 at the peak of construction would cause serious delays particularly around the Martlesham and Woodbridge roundabouts. [ T.C. (Transport Assessment) 7.2.4, p.149]. Additionally, large housing estates are proposed for the Martlesham area which will add further to congestion in this area. There is serious concern in this area regarding increased traffic on the A1120. This would comprise of light vans from the west including the Midlands and the daily site commuter traffic. Sibton parishioners live on the road which also passes through Peasenhall and Yoxford where the houses, many of them listed, are only separated from the road by the pavement. In the application it is estimated that at peak construction 4230 workers, not living on the campus, will either be parking on the main site (approximately 1000 spaces) or using the Northern or Southern Park and Ride sites (each 1250 spaces) [T.C. 7.2.18/9]. This will add to the congestion on the A1120 as described above. The northern park and ride site with 1250 car parking spaces [T.C. 5.3.2] is situated at the end of Willow Marsh Lane which joins up with further narrow lanes serving local villages. These lanes are mostly very narrow without passing places and at regular times of the year are used by heavy agricultural machinery which take up most of the road and are therefore totally unsuitable for site commuter traffic. If the A1120 was very busy then a road map would suggest to a driver that on reaching Peasenhall he could leave that road and go north through Poys Street, Sibton and then turn eastward through Sibton Green and then along Willow Marsh Lane to the Park and Ride. During a visit to EDFs Leiston office a member of staff confirmed they knew the area which they also considered totally unsuitable for site commuter traffic and suggested that this should be raised in our submissions. Please see attached map. Finally, both earlier stations were built with most of the material arriving by sea. Minimum disruption was caused to the area and unless you visited the site one hardly knew it was under construction. We understand that the previous building of a jetty caused some impact on sea life and the coast but if ways could be found to mitigate these problems then this method would solve so many of the difficulties presently being experienced and to be experienced during construction. I regret that I have been unable to attach the JPEG format map described above.