A series of ‘oil platform’-like structures that are visible along the coast from Burnham-On-Sea seafront are part of a multi-million pound project to build a new jetty for Hinkley Point C power station.
Work is underway on a temporary jetty for the power station that will enable 80 per cent of the aggregates needed to build the power station to be brought to the site by sea rather than by road.
The jetty is due for completion in 2018 and will enable ships to bring sand, cement and aggregates to the construction site, says EDF.
“Every shipload will take the equivalent of 250 lorry-loads off local roads,” an EDF spokeswoman told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“The jetty is being constructed from the coast outwards and will stretch 500 metres into the Bristol Channel.”
“Piling works are currently being carried out, with work on the main jetty structure due to begin next year.”
“A 30-strong construction team is working on two barges to construct the jetty – an eight-legged jack-up barge called WaveWalker 1, which arrived at Hinkley Point C at the end of November, and Fugaro 1200, which arrived on site in December.”
The first two piles were installed at the beginning of the year.
She added: “The jetty will allow us to bring significant volumes of construction materials to the site by sea as part of EDF Energy’s transport strategy of minimising traffic on local roads.”
“We have planned delivery routes to ensure we reduce the local impact of the build wherever possible and the jetty is a vital part of that plan.”
