Representation by Blythburgh with Bulcamp and Hinton Parish Council (Blythburgh with Bulcamp and Hinton Parish Council)
- Date submitted
- 17 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Parish councils
SIZEWELL C: Application for Development Consent Relevant Representation: Blythburgh with Bulcamp and Hinton Parish Council 1. Blythburgh Parish is situated either side of the A12 about seven miles north of the main development site. The demographics, heritage, character and location is summarised at: [Redacted] 2. The councils’ responses to each consultation stage is available at: [Redacted] 3. The council recognises that the main development site will inevitably have an environmental impact. However the council is concerned that: • the use of green-field sites has not been minimized • insufficient account has been taken of the negative impacts on the Minsmere nature reserve • disturbance of coastal processes will impact the Blyth estuary 4. Any traffic travelling from the north to Sizewell C must pass through Blythburgh village using either the A12 or B1125. The council has concerns about the increased usage on both these roads. 5. The council is not persuaded by the arguments for the integrated freight management strategy. 6. Figure 9.2 in Book 6 Non Technical Summary 6.1 illustrates that Abnormal Indivisible Loads will travel from Lowestoft to Yoxford along the A12. No mitigation has been proposed at Blythburgh. The parish request that further investigative work be undertaken on potential impacts of these movements. 7. The Darsham Park and Ride should minimise workforce traffic on minor roads. However Book 8, 8.5 para 10.4.34 states “it is unlikely that any Sizewell C traffic would be turning right into the B1387 since such traffic would be able to use the B1125 instead.” The council object to any usage of the B1125 at Blythburgh as it is clearly signposted ‘Blythburgh village only’. 8. Book 8 Doc 8.5 transport assessment Table 8.5 and Table 8.6 provide baseline traffic figures given for Blythburgh location L (B1125) that remain a serious underestimate compared to parish council figures. 9. Issues of rat running and fly parking within the village and along the B1125 have not been addressed. Mitigation requested: • number plate recognition on the B1125 and other traffic calming measures • pedestrian crossing or refuge on A12 • create a pull-off for the bus (south bound A12) • the B1387 should be improved as an alternative route for displaced traffic • village roads should be engineered to make them unattractive to through traffic • imposition of parking restrictions 10. Existing road safety problems in the village will be exacerbated for pedestrians. Mitigation requested: • provision of a pedestrian crossing or refuge • provision of a continuous pedestrian footpath at the entrance to the B1125 from the A12 11. Doc 8 8.5 Road Safety and Off-site Highway Improvements states “no mitigation is proposed at the A12 junctions near Blythburgh”. Additional traffic flows will exacerbate existing issues with the A12/A145 junction. Mitigation requested: • a roundabout should be considered for this junction. 12. The council request mini-bus shuttle services for village workers to the Darsham Park and Ride 13. The council is concerned that the employment of local tradesmen could denude existing businesses of their workforces. Mitigation requested: • include training opportunities for local young people to fill skills gaps.