MONTHLY WORKS UPDATE
FEBRUARY 2025
SIZEWELL C UPDATE
There has been good progress on the Sizewell C project in the first month of 2025. We will keep you informed throughout the year and our Works Tracker will be continuously updated. You can also check traffic management on the Suffolk County Council website.
We have recently refreshed the Works Tracker to improve the functionality of the site. The navigation has been improved and members of the community can now sign up for email updates each time the works tracker is updated. We will be extending this to an SMS service later in the year.
The most recent data for HGV traffic has been published on the East Suffolk Council website. It covers the period from September to November 2024.
We are continuing to remove vegetation where necessary, which is overseen by an ecological clerk of work to ensure we avoid harm to wildlife. As we conduct our clearance work during this period you may notice a lot of activity around
our associated developments, particularly along the A12.
We have begun to implement the long term and necessary road closures that host our infrastructure projects. Notably, Willow Marsh Lane (A12 junction in Darsham) and Abbey Lane (Leiston). Diversions are outlined further in this update.
As the designs and contractors are being agreed, we are beginning to firm up key dates of activity. This month you will see enabling works to create the Yoxford roundabout which will improve safety at a busy junction, with works commencing in March. We have also made further progress on the park and ride sites that will provide buses for workers to access site, reducing the number of vehicles on local roads.
Rail works also continue at pace and we have had several deliveries of rail track ahead of track laying. This will allow the first trains to move down the Leiston branch line to bring materials to our site on Buckleswood Road.
MAIN DEVELOPMENT
SITE OVERVIEW
ANCILLARY CONSTRUCTION AREA (ACA)
Our Project Office has now fully opened, housing our induction and medical centres as well as office space for 250 people. The car parks are complete and a bus service is running between the Ancillary Construction Area and Main Construction Area next to Sizewell B. Workers are required to park at the ACA and get the bus to the MCA, which reduces the number of cars using the roads in and around Leiston during the day. We are trialling our new hydrogen buses, which you will se in and round Leiston.
ACA Project Hub completed and fully open
TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION AREA (TCA)
The first phase of the construction of the main access road has been completed which will take traffic through our site, past the desalination and concrete plants, and up to the bridge which will cross the SSSI. A compound has been built to start works to build the bridge over the SSSI, providing a direct route into the Main Construction Area. Installation of sheet-piles to form the environmental barrier adjacent to the SSSI has commenced. The bridge will open Q4 of 2025.
Sheet piles being prepared for installation
MAIN CONSTRUCTION AREA (MCA)
Our Civil Work Alliance are continuing to prepare the Main Construction Area. This includes constructing a road to bring materials down from the Beach Landing Facility, and preparing to install sheet piles at the southern side of the SSSI bridge.
Preparing the ground for the SSSI bridge
WORKS IN AND AROUND LEISTON
There is a continued increase of work around Leiston. You can stay up to date by checking our Works Tracker.
Road improvement works We are building a new roundabout to improve safety and connectivity between the B1122, Abbey Road and Eastbridge Road along with the main Sizewell C entrance. This will be constructed in the field between the B1122 and Eastbridge Road. The roundabout is expected to be completed in January 2026.
The plaza roundabout construction will start late February, with compounds for archaeology being established, the roundabout is being constructed off the B1122. Whilst we are building, there will be traffic management in place at various times. This will involve temporary traffic lights, the first will be installed June 2025.
We continue to coordinate works with utility companies to minimise disruption as much as possible. The key utility diversion works in the area will continue on Lover’s Lane, this will include ongoing use of temporary traffic lights. We will also be reducing the speed limit from the recycling centre to Sizewell Gap, meaning all of Lovers Lane will now be 30mph.
Diversion routes
As part of the creation of the Green Rail Route, the junction of Abbey Lane and Lover’s Lane will be realigned and a level crossing will be constructed on Abbey Lane. It has been necessary to close Abbey Lane so this work can take place. We anticipate this section of work will be complete within a year, allowing Abbey Lane to then reopen. Following discussions with the local
Waterloo Avenue B1119
Saxmundham Level Crossing Abbey Lane George Rd
Moat Rd
Diversion route
Closed Road
Abbey Lane diversion
community we have redesigned the diversion route with Suffolk Highways. This diversion route is shown in the map to the left.
From 18th February to the 27th February there will be a temporary night-time closure of the Saxmundham Road level crossing, as well as sections of the B1119, Saxmundham Road and Buckleswood Lane in the vicinity of the level crossing, as shown top right. This closure will enable a drainage survey and ground investigation works to take place ahead of our work to upgrade the railway track and level crossing.
UK Power Networks
17 February – 1 March Works to divert electricity cables will take place in the vicinity of Eastbridge Road.
The road will remain open during the day and closed overnight between 20:00 - 05:00. There will be a diversion in place for the duration of these works. Residents living within the road closure will still have access. Details of this overnight closure are shown in the map bottom right.
B1122
Onner’s Lane
Church Rd Eastbridge Rd
Saxmundham Rd Level Crossing Harrow Lane
Saxmundham Rd
Rd
B1122
BEACH / FLOOD DEFENCES
We have begun early works on the temporary sea defences and as part of this we have diverted the public path along the beach to ensure continued access for the public. Secure fencing has also been erected around the works site ensuring public safety.
Last year you will have seen an offshore ‘jack up’ barge from Sizewell Beach. The barge, known as Excalibur was carrying out surveys on the seabed for the intake and outfall tunnels for Sizewell C, as well as the temporary desalination plant.
The next marine activity is due to start at the end of March, and will involve investigating World War II legacy unexploded ordnance, also known as UXOs. This work will be carried out by the jack up barge Wave Walker.
Secure fencing erected around the Main Construction Area
ORWELL
The Freight Management Facility (FMF) opened on 6th January. The facility can be seen from the A14 and works continue to establish two additional warehouses.
The FMF is a vital part of how we manage our lorries and goods travelling to Sizewell. The FMF site will be for HGVs to check-in before proceeding along the A12 to site, the warehouse will increase our storage capacity for materials. HGVs will access and leave the site from the eastbound side of the A14.
The establishment of the FMF now means that we no longer need the Levington site that was originally planned. As part of this, we are withdrawing the water sourcing planning application.
Logistics Park
NORTHERN PARK & RIDE
(DARSHAM)
Archaeology works will start on site this month.
For safe access and to allow the construction of a new roundabout, we have had to close Willow Marsh Lane. The road will be closed throughout the construction period and a diversion will be in place as per the map. We are aware of the restrictions this places on pedestrians and cyclists and are looking at how this can be improved, including reviewing the state of public right of way (denoted in green).
From March 2025, utilities diversion works will be undertaken along the A12 footpath. This involves Openreach updating internet cabling in the area. Other utilities work includes realignment of water pipes and overhead power lines.
A144
Walpole Rd
Willow Marsh Lane To Yoxford
Diversion route
Diversion route
Closed Road
SOUTHERN PARK & RIDE
(WICKHAM MARKET)
Archaeology continues at our Southern Park and Ride site and is due to be completed in the late spring of 2025.
We expect construction to begin in June 2025 and we will open the Park and Ride in stages with the site due to be completed in Autumn 2026.
Archaeologist at work on the Southern Park & Ride
SIZEWELL LINK ROAD
Archaeology and vegetation clearance works are continuing on our Sizewell Link Road sites.
Main construction works will begin spring 2025, when there will be phased handovers for construction with archaeology running throughout the year.
We will be updating the relevant public forums on timelines for traffic management and further road closures throughout the year and in this monthly update.
Archaeology on the Sizewell Link Road
TWO VILLAGE BYPASS
(FARNHAM & STRATFORD ST. ANDREW)
Preparations for the new Friday Street roundabout are due to start in March 2025.
This includes creating a site access, compounds for our team, vegetation clearance and archaeological investigations. Openreach will be realigning cables which may include traffic management along the A12.
Preperations for Friday Street roundabout
YOXFORD ROUNDABOUT
We have now competed the archaeological works at Yoxford roundabout.
There are ongoing utilities work on site which are due to be completed in mid-March. We expect to start construction of the roundabout once these works are complete.
Archaeology complete at the Yoxford roundabout
RAILWAY SCHEMES
Works along the Saxmundham and Leiston line have started with the first construction trains travelling along the track.
The train movements to date have delivered 14km of rail required for the branch line upgrade. The coming months will see increased rail deliveries along the branch line, all of which are essential to the upgrade.
In addition, there has been significant survey and de-vegetation activity along the branch line, to enable commencement of the main works.
Rail drops to upgrade the Sizewell Branch Line
OFF-SITE
INFRASTRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Orford
Woodbridge
Kesgrave
Saxmundham
Thorpeness
Farnham
Snape
Wickham Market
A12
A12
East Su olk Rail Line
Orwell Logistics Park
Southern Park & Ride (Wickham Market)
Northern Park & Ride (Darsham)
Two Village Bypass (Farnham & Stratford St Andrew)
Sizewell Branch Rail Line
Leiston
Dunwich
Sizewell Link Road
Yoxford Roundabout
FORUM SCHEDULE
(arrival from 18:00)
Our website has been updated to include all papers from 2024. If you have any questions or would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact us. We are available in person at the Information Office on the High Street in Leiston Monday –Friday 09:30 - 17:00, via the 24 hour helpline on 0800 197 6102 or email us at info@sizewellc.com.
Main Development Site Forum Wednesday 15 Janua ry 2025
Northern Transport Forum Wednesday 12 Februar y 2025
Leiston Town Athletic Association
m Village Hall
Southern Transport Forum Wednesday 5 Ma rch 2025 Stratford St And rew Riversid e Centre
Communit y Forum Thursd ay 27 Ma rch 2025
Main Development Site Forum Wednesday 2 April 2025
Northern Transport Forum Wednesday 7 May 2025
Town Athletic Association
m Village Hall
Southern Transport Forum Wednesday 4 Ju ne 2025 Stratford St And rew Riversid e Centre
Main Development Site Forum Wednesday 2 Ju ly 2025
Town Athletic Association
Northern Transport Forum Wednesday 6 August 2025D arsham Village Hall
Southern Transport Forum Wednesday 3 Se ptembe r 2025 Stratford St And rew Riversid e Centre
Main Development Site Forum Wednesday 8 Oc tobe r 2025
Communit y Forum Thursd ay 23 Oc tobe r 2025
Town Athletic Association
Sizewell Sport s an d So cial Club
Northern Transport Forum Wednesday 5 November 2025D arsham Village Hall
Southern Transport Forum Wednesday 3 De cember 2025
Stratford St And rew Riversid e Centre
All imagery is copyright Sizewell C Ltd unless otherwise stated and must not be reproduced without permission.
