As 2023 comes to an end, we’re also coming to the end of our pre-commencement works at Sizewell C. There’s been a lot of work to get to this point, from site clearance to surveys, archaeological work to relocating facilities. We’re now looking ahead to 2024 and the beginning of the construction phase.

During 2024, we will continue ecological and archaeological works on site and across the associated development sites, as well as conducting ground trials for civil engineering works and commencing drainage and earthworks. We’ll be working on access roads on site so that construction traffic can get direct and efficient access, and we’ll establish perimeter fencing so that we have safe and secure site boundaries. We’ll also start on the construction and fit-out of our early site welfare and site offices, so we’ve got the right facilities in place for our team.

There’ll be more HGV and other heavy machinery activity when we start this work and you will be able to sign up for email notifications in advance of wide load movements during the construction period. If you’d like to receive these notifications, simply get in touch with our Community Relations Team [email protected] to register.

From the 21 December there will be a significant reduction in activity on all construction sites and over the Christmas break we will not be operating any construction work. Security teams will remain on site throughout. Work will resume on Tuesday 2 January.

HGV movements and road signage

There are designated routes for HGV movements which are monitored by our Traffic Management Team who brief our contractors of their travel obligations. From 27 December to 4 January we will be putting up signage around the region to reinforce this. If you see any HGVs that you believe are on the wrong route or speeding, please get in touch via [email protected] or 0800 197 6102.

Wide Load sign up

A number of wide loads are taking place in the week commencing 18 December to deliver machinery and portable modular buildings to the Ancillary Construction Area (ACA) in Leiston.

These loads will be escorted by police (where applicable) and have a designated route to site following the A12, B1122 and Lovers Lane into the ACA. Our dedicated Traffic Management Team carefully co-ordinate these deliveries to avoid congestion as far as possible and further details can be found on the Sizewell C Works Tracker.

Forums

As we proceed with the pre-commencement works, we’re doing further work in the background to ensure that we’re ready to move to full construction early in 2024. This includes ensuring the governance of the project is set up and that the forums are ready to be implemented, alongside the many associated working groups and steering groups. These groups will provide a way for Sizewell C and representatives of the local community to discuss key topics as the build commences.

The Forums are chaired independently: for the Community Forum, the Chair is Christine Abraham, former CEO of Community Action Suffolk; and for the Transport Forums, the Chair is Brian Stewart OBE, who is currently Chair of trustees for Papworth Trust and the Anglian Great Ouse Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.

Main Site Forum – Tuesday 16th January 2024
Northern Transport Forum – Tuesday 6th February 2024
Southern Transport Forum – Monday 12th February 2024
SZC Forum – Tuesday 2nd April 2024

Look out for more details of the Forums on our website in the New Year.

Benhall

Following the recent adverse weather conditions and excessive rainfall, work on site has been delayed due to the wet ground conditions. Work on site has now been suspended until Spring 2024. Please find details of the updated schedule below:

December 2023 – March 2024: The site is closed for work and the perimeter will continue to be secured with fencing and patrolled regularly by security teams.
Late March 2024: The site team will re-mobilise and traffic management will be installed on the A1094 at the bell mouth entrance to the site, to ease the movement of transport and equipment. This traffic management involves periodic use of traffic lights, which will turn green or be removed when not required.
April – June 2024: Site excavation and earthworks to remove soil and re-align water levels to create ideal ecological conditions will re-commence.
July 2024: Contractors will remove the site facilities and commence re-wilding, where required.

Wild Aldhurst

An area of the north-east corner of Wild Aldhurst in the main development site boundary (opposite the turning to Kenton Hills Car Park) continues to have trial trenches in place for the search for archaeology. Once completed, this area will be used to establish the diversion of Bridleway 19 and the water management zone off Lovers Lane.

All necessary work is carried out under supervision of an Ecological Clerk of Works, including surveys for nesting birds, bats and badgers, and carried out in accordance with protected species licence conditions, where they apply.

ACA

As part of the preparatory works for Sizewell C, work continues at the land east of Eastlands Industrial Estate where office accommodation, sidings for the Green Rail Route, and a caravan park will be located when the project commences.

Archaeological works will continue, vegetation, such as Jersey Cudweed, will be cleared and the modular office building will begin to arrive on the site in sections ready for installation. As part of this work, wide loads will be arriving on site from the Lovers Lane direction, with a police escort. For the latest information on expected wide loads please visit www.szcworkstracker.co.uk

During December work onsite will focus on the internal logistics of the site, such as the installation of bunds to reduce the effect of noise on local properties and installing the modular office accommodation.

In the new year Sizewell C is planning to install monoliths to the entrance areas to make these distinguishable for future deliveries

Parish Council meetings

Our Community Relations team continued their schedule of meetings to give updates on the project’s progress. Recent meetings have taken place with Aldeburgh, Peasenhall, Campsea Ashe, Woodbridge, Iken, Blythburgh, Snape and Kelsale-cum-Carlton. We are looking forward to visiting: –

Middleton Parish Council – Tuesday 9th January 2024 7pm Middleton Village Hall

Hacheston and Parham Parish Council – Wednesday 17th January 2024 7pm Parham Village Hall.

Come and sing

On Saturday 2nd December 2023 we gathered in the atmospheric setting of Pro Corda at Leiston Abbey for our inaugural Come & Sing Event with local communities, we were delighted to welcome many representatives from local choirs.

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable event,” said Halesworth resident and choir member, Maxine Crow. “It was a great way to further develop my singing, while meeting new people who have similar interests. The event was in a stunning location, well organised and great fun – a big thank you to everyone involved and I hope there will be more to come!”

Saturday’s Come and Sing was the first in a series of events and initiatives from the Sizewell Creative arts programme, which aims to provide free, accessible, and sustainable arts events and initiatives for the community and local schools.

Lastly: The latest community newsletter will be hitting the doormats over the weekend. An online copy will be available next week.

Works Tracker

Track a Project – Sizewell C Works Tracker (szcworkstracker.co.uk)