FEARS of big problems caused by Sizewell C traffic last night dominated a meeting aimed at providing feedback from the first phase of EDF Energy’s public consultation over the project.

Delegates from communities throughout east Suffolk urged the company to carry out detailed traffic management studies, particularly along the A12 north of the dual carriageway and along the B1122 where villagers believe lorry impact will be “devastating”.

The EADT has been campaigning for an A12 bypass which would improve the quality of life for residents of Little Glemham, Farnham, Marlesford and Stratford St Andrew.

Last night’s meeting of the Sizewell C Community Forum was given its first glimpse of the results of the 11-week-long public consultation, launched in November last year.

Nearly 1,300 responses were received – about double the number received in respect of the Hinkley Point C consultation in Somerset – and concerns raised covered a range of issues including traffic, coastal erosion, employment, the local economy and the extent of the proposed construction area.

EDF said respondents had – from a shortlist of three sites – shown a clear preference for a workers’ campus at the junction of the B1122 with a proposed new site access road.

From a list of six suggested sites, a preference had also been expressed for park and ride facilities near Darsham railway station and for a site to the north-east of Wickham Market.

A majority of respondents had showed a preference for a new lorry park sited near the A14 Orwell crossing rather than for one at the A12/A14 junction at Seven Hills.

But with EDF still not proposing to provide a bypass for Marlesford, Little Glemham and Stratford St Andrew or a new access road to Sizewell from the A12 there were calls from delegates for detailed traffic studies.

John Morris, chairman of Middleton-cum-Fordley Parish Council, called for the forum to have input into the next consultation phase “so that we can make sure the right questions are asked”.

But this was firmly rejected by Kate Stinton, of EDF, who said it would not be appropriate. “We are consulting with our proposals. It is our consultation, not the community’s consultation,” she said.

Roy Collins, another member of the EDF team, assured delegates that traffic management studies of the A12 and B1122 would be “robust and comprehensive”.