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Published:
December
9,
2009
Power
firm EDF told: 'Hinkley Point C must bring benefits to Burnham'
Town
councillors have this week asked energy giant EDF to deliver more
benefits to Burnham-On-Sea
if proposals for a new Hinkley Point nuclear power station get
the go-ahead.
Simon
Dunford, EDF Project Manager, was in town on Monday to get the
views of town councillors on the multi-billion pound plans to
build Hinkley Point C.
 Councillors
broadly welcomed the proposals, which will create 4,000 jobs,
however they raised a number of local concerns.
Cllr
Neville Jones asked why a new jetty proposed at the plant would
only be used for building materials at the plant, not for workers.
"We have a new ferry service starting in the Bristol Channel
next year and I am sure it will be operating from Burnham by 2012
- the ferry would be an ideal way to get to the station,"
he said.
But
Mr Dunford said the seaward side of the Hinkley Point area would
be "a sensitive zone" and that security may not allow
the operation of a passenger ferry there, although he stressed
that no final decisions have been made.
Cllr
Jones added: "We want more benefits for the Burnham area
in terms of guaranteed jobs, accommodation, extra training facilities
and more links with facilities such as King Alfred School."
Cllr
John Morgan asked why two park and ride schemes are being planned
for the plant's workers besides both Bridgwater's M5 junctions,
but not at Burnham's junction 22. "We have plenty of space
at Edithmead and near Highbridge Railway Station for such a scheme,"
he said.
 Mr
Dunford said he is in talks with a Burnham holiday park close
to junction 22 regarding housing some Hinkley workers and that
other options may be explored, although Bridgwater is "the
preferred area for park and ride because of its proximity to Hinkley
Point."
Cllr
Chris Williams wanted an assurance that the A38 would not be used
for heavy goods vehicles during the construction phase.
"The
A38 through Highbridge must not be used at any point for huge
construction transporters - this is a residential area and the
heavy traffic must use the M5," he said. Mr Dunford said
he could give no guarantees, although he stated that there should
not be significant traffic along the A38.
Cllr
Janet Keen asked whether security at the plant had been fully
considered, to which Mr Dunford replied "the nuclear reactor
would be built to withstand a 9/11 style attack."
Consultation
on the new power plant is currently underway and will continue
until January 11th. The preferred solution will put forward in
mid-March and a second round of consultation will then begin.
By early July 2010, EDF hopes to apply for planning permission
and it is seeking a decision by July 2011.
Residents
in Burnham-On-Sea will get their chance to have their say about
plans this Friday (December 11th). A public exhibition is being
held from 2pm to 8pm in The Princess Hall in Princess Street.
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