Representation by Woodbridge Town Council (Woodbridge Town Council)
- Date submitted
- 23 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Local authorities
Woodbridge Town Council (WTC) presents the following representation. The DCO application does not consider the impact of contractor/subcontractor, consultants or EDF off site facilities on road usage, local employers and accommodation in the greater Suffolk area. There will be potential for such facilities to be developed at Rendlesham Business Park at the end of the A1152 where office and lay down areas are plentiful and temporary accommodation is feasible. It is on a direct non A12 route to Sizewell C. The study of road-based transportation does not address the impact on Woodbridge and its environs or propose any avoidance or mitigation as it fails to a) consider the use that site staff, visitors and delivery drivers can make of non A12 routes to Sizewell or any off-site facilities. Traffic enabled GPS often directs this route b) the route likely to be directed is via the A1152 and B1069. This has pinch points at the junction with the B1438 and at Melton railway level crossing. There are no options to improve traffic flow. Significant additional traffic flow will cause queues to extend over the level crossing. c) the impact of additional traffic on extending periods of current queuing on the A12 south of the B1079/A12 roundabout to the B1438/A12 roundabout d) the use of B1438 through Woodbridge to the A1152 or onto the A12 southern park and ride and lorry park holding facility via Ufford and Wickham Market, known rat runs. e) The impact of diversion due to accidents between the A1152/A12 junction and the southern park and ride and lorry park holding facility. Use of Rendlesham Business Park will attract employees from Woodbridge to Rendlesham increasing traffic issues. Further it will attract new employees to live in Woodbridge exacerbating current limits on low cost and tourist accommodation. This will impact on local employers, employees, tourist related employment, a key employment sector. The DCO study of rail transportation assumes night-time delivery trains as train paths are currently restricted to one track from Woodbridge to Saxmundham. The railway passes through urban residential areas at Woodbridge, Melton, Campsea Ashe and Saxmundham with pedestrian crossing requiring use of klazons and noisy passage over jointed track. No means of avoidance or mitigation for such impact is investigated/proposed. The Council consider night-time trains could be avoided by incorporating a length of dual track in the Campsea Ashe area, effectively doubling line capacity during the day. Further extension of continuous rail from Bealings to Saxmundham would reduce noise impact and maintenance of many life expired timber sleepers. WTC also wish to register concerns on other aspects that will impact residents, and the regional setting a) EDF's coastal process assessment, HCDF design, FRA findings, the suitability and practicality of an ‘adaptable’ coastal defence approach at Sizewell C on site safety and regional coastal erosion b) ii. the impact of the traffic movements to/from the Seven Hills lorry park on the A12 and the A12/A14 interchange WTC will seek to assist Examiners if they request further particulars on these matters.