More than 150 people joined a march on Saturday (October 1st) to protest against EDF Energy’s plan for two new reactors at Hinkley Point nuclear power station near Burnham-On-Sea.
In the first of a series of demonstrations over the next few days, protesters converged opposite EDF Energy’s regional headquarters in Bridgwater with an array of costumes and banners before marching through the town centre.
Two protesters were dressed as the grim reaper and carried a large banner saying: ‘Nuclear energy: the death of a safe, affordable future. Boycott EDF.’
A rally then took place in Cornhill where speakers from anti-nuclear groups including Stop Hinkley, CND and Greenpeace France outlined their opinions about nuclear power.
“This region deserves decent jobs that are safe and sustainable,” said Crispin Aubrey from campaign group Stop Hinkley. “Nuclear power cannot meet this requirement,” he claimed.
He continued: “EDF Energy is offering jobs that come from the bottom of the barrel. The construction work will only be temporary and will cause great inconvenience to the local community – particularly in terms of traffic congestion.”
“Most of the longer-term jobs at the reactor will be specialized and will require people to come in from further afield. So it’s a bad deal for Somerset.”
Yannick Rousselet from Greenpeace also highlighted the budget over-runs and time-delays at EDF Energy’s prototype reactor in Flamanville, France.
Mike Harrison, from EDF Energy, said of the protest: “Obviously there’s a little frustration because it means we’ve got to take out extra measures but I think we’ve got to respect people’s rights to have their views and opinions.”
“There are a lot of people in the local area who work in the power station, there’s a lot of positive public opinion for what we’re doing.”
Campaigners are planning to blockade the entrance to the Hinkley Point site on Monday in a further protest.
Pictured: Saturday’s protest march in Bridgwater attracted more than 150 people against the Hinkley Plans (Stop New Nuclear)
