Campaigners have invited EDF Energy’s new boss to meet them and see first-hand the area which will be affected by Sizewell C, should the twin reactor nuclear power station be built
Alison Downes and Paul Collins, co chairs of Theberton & Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell C (TEAGS), have issued the invitation to Simone Rossi, who takes over today as the company’s new chief executive.
TEAGS wants to put its concerns to Mr Rossi face-to-face and give him a guided tour of the area, including Minsmere and the county’s Heritage Coast, and Theberton and Eastbridge, on the front line of the plans for Sizewell.
His predecessor Vincent de Rivaz said only this week that he expected Sizewell C to be built and generating electricity by 2031.
In their open letter to Mr Rossi, Ms Downes and Mr Collins said: “As EDF’s proposals currently stand, 2,400 construction workers are to be housed in temporary accommodation on the boundary of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and 900 lorries will be pounding down a country road through our villages, shaking listed buildings and residents alike.
“We are currently awaiting feedback on EDF’s second stage consultation, but unless radical changes are made, we will be forced to conclude that the consultations are purely symbolic and that EDF has never had any intention of addressing our concerns.
“We hope that you will help to repair relations with our community by visiting us, so that we may discuss our concerns directly with you.”
They said Mr Rossi, in his new role, had “an opportunity to bring a fresh approach to tackling the cumulative and unacceptable impacts” of constructing Sizewell C.
These included the social and environmental consequences of the workers’ campus and urged him to re-examine all options including split-sites; the impact of a “massive increase” in heavy vehicles using the B1122, congestion at its A12 junction, and the need for a Sizewell Relief Road, as proposed for Sizewell B; and the “cumulative impact on the fragile environment” of the Minsmere and Sizewell levels, surrounding the AONB and on the tourist-based economy of the east Suffolk area.
EDF Energy did not wish to comment on TEAGS’ letter to Mr Rossi.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here