A Suffolk MP believes much more needs to be done to mitigate the expected impact of traffic on communities across the east of the county if the Sizewell C nuclear power station is built.

East Anglian Daily Times: A computer-generated image of how the Sizewell nuclear complex would look after construction of Sizewell C. Image: EDF EnergyA computer-generated image of how the Sizewell nuclear complex would look after construction of Sizewell C. Image: EDF Energy (Image: Archant)

Construction of the twin reactor will take up to a decade, and Therese Coffey says she wants to see as much construction material travel by sea and rail as possible to take lorries off the area’s roads.

The Suffolk Coastal MP accepts there will still be huge amounts of traffic travelling to and from the site, and is unhappy with current proposals to deal with transport.

She said three of the options to deal with the Farnham, Stratford St Andrew, Little Glemham and Marlesford bottleneck were “unacceptable” while none of the proposals are adequate to deal with the huge increase of traffic the B1122 will face, and suggested solutions for the A12 turn-off at Yoxford need more work.

Dr Coffey said: “If EDF is to proceed with B1122 options, bypasses should be considered. EDF should set out in detail, whilst recognising the national planning policy statement, why options explored for Sizewell B, namely the D2 route, haven’t been investigated for Sizewell C.

East Anglian Daily Times: Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey. Picture: GREGG BROWNSuffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey. Picture: GREGG BROWN

“Option 4, a two village bypass for Farnham and Stratford St Andrew is the minimum mitigation required. A business case is being worked up for a four village bypass, as part of the full Suffolk Energy Gateway, a proposal EDF should consider in conjunction with Suffolk County Council as part of the Stage three consultation.

“I want to see as much construction material come in by sea and rail as possible rather than putting more pressure on our road network. The potential of both sea and rail methods of transport need to be maximised rather than one or the other.”

A wider jetty would be acceptable if it does not damage the environment or impact on coastal defences.

Dr Coffey also believes construction of Sizewell C will have a much wider impact on the road network and believes the A12 between the Seckford and Wyevale roundabouts at Woodbridge should be dualled, and the capacity of the Seven Hills and Woods Lane roundabouts should be assessed.

EDF has said it is currently analysing all responses to the stage two consultation and will be taking these into account as it prepares for the final stage of public engagement.