Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP, Dr Dan Poulter, has today called on the Government and Secretary of State for Business, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, to properly scrutinise EDF's plans for the development of Sizewell C. 

Dr Poulter raised the issue in Parliament this morning, asking Minister for Business and Industry, Nadhim Zahawi to ensure that EDF will be held to account and will properly engage with the consultation process to implement the changes needed to improve road and rail infrastructure. 

In his response, the Minister vowed to ensure that Government will carefully consider if the proposed Sizewell C mitigation measures are sufficient.  Responding to Dr Poulter, Minister Zahawi said "The message is quite clearly heard.  The proposals for mitigating the potential impacts of Sizewell C will be absolutely considered during the examination of the development consent application, when local people and local bodies like the county council will have the opportunity to make representations.  The Secretary of State will then thoroughly examine and consider the recommendations from the planning inspector that will be submitted to him following that examination.  I give him that guarantee.” 

Dr Poulter said "In recognising that the development of Sizewell C will bring benefits such as de-carbonisation and many new jobs, it must not be the case of Sizewell C being built at any cost.  Many people in Suffolk have concerns about the failure of EDF to properly engage with the consultation process.  There are still over 50 outstanding concerns raised by Suffolk County Council.  Although I am reassured by the Government's response, which is important for many of the parishes concerned, I do strongly feel that more can be done by EDF to resolve concerns over HGV traffic on the roads and also to deliver rail infrastructure improvements.  We need to see a very clear commitment from EDF to stop construction vehicles from travelling on anything other than the major roads – that still remains a very big concern.”

View Dr Poulter's question in the House of Commons here.