Burnham-On-Sea’s Conservative parliamentary candidate has this week welcomed the news that the government has reached an agreement with EDF to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point.
The £16bn investment – for the first nuclear power station in a generation – will create 25,000 new jobs in the local area and provide power for six million homes.
Local Conservative campaigner and prospective MP, James Heappey, says the investment is a very welcome boost to the local economy and to the nation’s energy security.
He said: “This is such good news for Somerset. The Hinkley project had been stalling for a while – not least because of the Lib Dems’ prevarication over public subsidies for nuclear energy – and so it is a relief to now see the investment secured and the promise of thousands of new jobs for local people in the Burnham-On-Sea area and beyond.”
“Not only will this provide thousands of jobs but also a clean source of home-grown energy and a reduction of bills for hardworking people by £75 a year by 2030.”
However, Mr Heappey was also quick to reaffirm his support for the many campaigners in Mark, Tarnock and Compton Bishop for whom today’s announcement will bring closer the threat of monster electricity pylons on the beautiful Somerset countryside.
“The massive investment that comes with Hinkley is great news for our area but the pylons that connect it to Avonmouth continue to be a real threat,” James told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“The consultation period is nearing its end and so I urge people to send back their comments to National Grid and to write to Energy Secretary Ed Davey to demand that something is done about these awful pylons.”
“We need Hinkley Point but the connection to the rest of our electricity infrastructure must go underground or, much better still, under the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary.”
Bridgwater College, which also has centres in Glastonbury, Cannington and Yeovil, will be providing the skills needed to work at Hinkley C.
James added: “Bridgwater College will provide the station with the highly skilled staff it will need in the future, meaning there are some great opportunities for young people living locally. Hinkley C will provide jobs and economic stability in the area for generations to come. Everyone involved in this project realises its importance to the people of our part of Somerset.”
