Government’s flagship Sizewell C nuclear project delayed in road building row

Government’s flagship Sizewell C nuclear project delayed in road building row Rising costs could extend work on plant that’s key to government aim of reducing UK’s reliance on foreign gas - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments The new Sizewell C nuclear project that forms part of the government’s strategy to reduce gas imports looks set to be delayed after a falling-out over road building. The contractor that had been due to build a link road and bypass has been replaced after Sizewell bosses reportedly wanted changes that pushed up the bill. The two sides failed to agree on costs, and it is feared the resulting delay will set back work on the £38bn nuclear plant, as well as prolonging misery for nearby villagers putting up with construction traffic going past their homes. Sizewell bosses had promised to minimise delays and avoid the cost overruns that have hit Hinkley Point C in Somerset by learning from that scheme. Last year, when work on Sizewell C began, construction firm Galliford Try was awarded a contract thought to have been worth up to £200m to build the four-mile Sizewell Link Road and mile-long Two Village Bypass to carry heavy vehicles to the site, away from residential streets. But a source told the FT that several design changes had led to heavy cost overruns. “They asked for changes that added £30m,” they said, referring to Sizewell C. When it is due to open in 2028, the link road will connect the nuclear power station to the A12, bypassing the villages of Theberton and Middleton Moor. Building giant Kier will now take charge of it. Local firm Breheny Civil Engineering will provide the Two Village Bypass, which will route traffic around Farnham and Stratford St Andrew. The change of contractor was likely to delay completion of the roads by between six months and one year, the source told the FT. “The link road and bypass were mitigation to reduce the significant impacts of a decade of HGVs and worker buses travelling through multiple small villages,” said Alison Downes of campaign group Stop Sizewell C. Sizewell C said last year that it expected construction of both roads to be completed this year, and the link road was due to open next year. But Sizewell C’s website states that the road will be completed next year. Last year, then-chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £14.2 billion worth of investment in Sizewell C, as the government took a 44.9 per cent stake in the project. The consortium of investors also includes Centrica and EDF. Sizewell C is due to start generating power in the mid- to late 2030s, after a 10-12 year construction programme, and have a lifespan of 60 years. Energy secretary Ed Miliband said new nuclear power capacity was needed to deliver a “golden age of clean energy abundance”. The government wants to decarbonise Britain’s energy supplies by 2030, replacing fossil fuels with green power. Sizewell C is expected to deliver clean power to the equivalent of six million homes. Environmentalists, including the RSPB, have argued the scheme would harm wildlife. A Galliford Try spokesperson said: “Our highways business has been unable to reach a mutual agreement with Sizewell C to construct the transport infrastructure that the project requires, following an intensive 20-month period of early contractor involvement. “Our robust risk-management process has helped us achieve five consecutive years of growth and it protects our interests and those of our stakeholders, by ensuring an appropriate balance between risk and reward. We remain committed to only taking on work when these criteria are met.” Sizewell C and Keir have also been approached for comment. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments