We'd take action on Sizewell C traffic issues
Sizewell C nuclear power station has planning consent, but is not yet funded. We think there are better ways to provide the country's future energy needs. It may still be abandoned when the full costs and likely delays are taken into account.
The case against Sizewell C is compelling on multiple grounds – including that it will be delivered too late and at too great a cost to form part of any rational path to Net Zero. The site on an eroding coastline is unsuitable, and there's currently no guaranteed fresh water supply in what is one of the driest parts of the UK. It will also swallow up valuable landscapes and wildlife habitats and cause chaos on local roads.
If the Green Party was in power, we'd say 'no' to nuclear and would implement our ‘East Suffolk Plan for a Sustainable Economy’, featuring skilled jobs in the construction and trades sector, and supporting jobs for the offshore energy sector and its supply chain based in Lowestoft; the IT, tech and digital creative sector; and the visitor economy.
"The construction of Sizewell C is an ideological decision driven by a misguided energy policy. It is clear there are cleaner, quicker and much less expensive options to meet our electricity needs. Investment in renewable energy and insulation at scale are what is needed to tackle both the climate emergency and cost of living crisis with the urgency needed." – Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay
If it does go ahead, we stand ready to support local communities to help them cope with the impact of construction traffic which could reach 600 HGVs per day on the B1122 Yoxford to Leiston road in the early years of the project before the Sizewell Link Road is completed.
The existing road infrastructure – not just the B1122 – is being asked to take considerably more traffic than it ever has before, bringing significant new safety hazards to residents. As has been widely reported, the B1122 has experienced three major accidents (one fatal), earlier this year. The Green Party continues to support the implementation of road safety measures and traffic calming measures to make roads safer in the following ways:
Speed limits
We call for a significant extension to the routes covered (or that are proposed to be covered) by speed limits.
We also call for a significant commitment to the active enforcement of existing and new speed limits, and covering the 24/7 timings of SZC shift patterns. We call upon EDF to make funds available to the Police Authority for this purpose.
HGV and bus emissions
We call upon Sizewell C Ltd to require their HGV and bus contractors to only use vehicles that comply with Euro VI NOx and PM emissions standards, which are those mandated for the London-wide Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and the Clean Air Zones in seven UK other cities.
Pedestrian footways
We support proposals for the provision of additional new footways (where these can be accommodated), within existing highway boundaries, and will encourage landowners to make additional permissive footpath routes available, with support from Sizewell C.
Cycle routes
We call upon Sizewell C and Suffolk County Council to create safe cycle routes between the A12 and the coast to compensate for loss of safe cycling on the B1122, B1125 and surrounding minor roads due to SZC traffic.
Incident management
Under current operating conditions, there are occasions when blockages on the A12 result in traffic diverting along unclassified roads. We are concerned that the frequency and severity of these incidents will increase if and when the Sizewell C project gets underway.
We have pressed Suffolk County Council and the Police Authority, funded by Sizewell C, to develop and consult on contingency traffic management plans that can be put in place immediately to limit the likelihood and severity of congestion causing disruption and risks to residents.
