Sizewell C and ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) have partnered to coordinate planned roadworks in East Suffolk in an effort to reduce the impacts of construction in the local area.

This coordinated approach – agreed in conjunction with both Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council – is being used as part of the construction programmes for Sizewell C and the East Anglia TWO offshore windfarm. The joined-up approach is not only intended to minimise disruptions for road users, but also to ‘mitigate the environmental impact' of both projects.

As part of the collaboration, Sizewell C plans to deliver hundreds of metres of new kerbing and footways for both its project and the work being undertaken by SPR, reducing disruptions by combining the works into one road closure instead of two.

The coordinated works include four upgrade schemes, two completed and two still ongoing:

  • Theberton B1122 – SPR has improved the Church Road junction and provided a new crossing
  • Yoxford A12, A1120 – Sizewell C has improved footways and provided a new signal crossing of the A12
  • Marlesford A12 –Sizewell C will provide new footways, around 1km of road resurfacing, a reduced speed limit and a new signal crossing
  • Knodishall A1094/B1069 Junction – ScottishPower Renewables will provide junction improvements, a reduced speed limit and resurfacing.

Damian Leydon, site delivery director at Sizewell C, said: ‘We all know the frustration of being held up by roadworks, only to see the road dug up again a few weeks later. This agreement seeks to avoid that scenario and demonstrates how major infrastructure projects can work together to deliver smarter, more efficient outcomes for the public and the environment.

‘The work we're doing, to improve existing roads and build new roads and rail infrastructure, as well as new park and rides for our team, will ultimately reduce the impacts on local roads and communities as we build this project. We recognise the level of roadworks taking place in East Suffolk – which is why collaborating with SPR, as well as other projects in the area, with the support of OFGEM and local councils, is vital to minimising that disruption.'

Michael Hotze, East Anglia TWO execution director for SPR, added: ‘This common-sense approach will help reduce the need for multiple roadworks and ease traffic congestion through local villages while delivering long-lasting enhancements to the roads network.'

The two companies also plan to share technical expertise as well as construction efforts. This includes logistics for transporting abnormal loads.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, MP for Suffolk Coastal, said: ‘I'd like to see all energy developers follow this lead and work together to reduce the impact of their planned works on people, our roads, and our environment.'

Cllr Tom Daly, East Suffolk Council's cabinet member for energy and climate change, added: ‘It is crucial that all Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects impacting our district work together in the closest way possible to reduce impacts on communities and environment.'

Cllr Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for devolution, local government reorganisation and NSIPs, commented: ‘The coordination and streamlining of these highways works, between ScottishPower and Sizewell C, supported by the work of Suffolk County Council, should be better news for the communities of east Suffolk who have been feeling the strain of increased disruption from big energy projects in the area.

‘The county council will continue to hold developers to account and push for the maximum possible coordination between consented projects so that the negative impacts on our communities are minimised.'