Plans for a huge new park ‘n’ ride facility next to Burnham-On-Sea’s motorway junction have been proposed this week.
The town council has asked energy firm EDF to consider building the facilities on land next to the M5 when construction work begins for the proposed new Hinkley Point power station.
Up to 5,000 people will be employed by EDF to build the two nuclear reactors and, as space will be limited around Hinkley itself, the energy company is seeking locations for ‘park and ride’ facilities across the area.
Town councillor Neville Jones told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are anxious that the Burnham area should benefit from the project and that employment opportunities should not only be available to those living close to the site, but also to those in other parts of Sedgemoor.”
He added: “While a park and ride is being considered for Bridgwater, I believe that the building works connected with the North East Bridgwater Development Plan at the former cellophane factory site will mean that area will be very busy for several years to come. A park and ride near Burnham’s junction 22 or at the Isleport Industrial Estate in Highbridge would therefore be ideal.”
Cllr Chris Williams told this week’s town council meeting he too is behind the idea, which would generate parking for several hundred cars. “I think it would be a very good for the Burnham area. I am keen that we should benefit from the work at the station,” he said.
If the proposed new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point (pictured above) are given the go-ahead by the government later this year, EDF says enough power for around five million homes or six per cent of the UK’s total power supply will be generated.
Once operational, the new power station will support around 900 permanent jobs on site.
