‘Battle’ to stop Hinkley staff parking outside Bridgwater homes

A system which aims to stop construction workers at a nuclear power station “fly-parking” on residential streets is being introduced.

Residents living near Hinkley Point C have complained to EDF Energy about workers leaving their cars outside their homes.

David Linbourne, from Bridgwater, said: “You would get a lot of people turn up at six in the morning, slamming their car doors. It is a constant battle.”

Andrew Cockcroft, head of stakeholder engagement for Hinkley Point C said: “We appreciate how frustrating fly-parking can be. We’re about to launch a new system which will help us to locate and respond to repeat offending even faster.”

The company said a new geographic information system would help the enforcement team see complaints and reports in real time and would allow them to respond and act faster.

Each worker at Hinkley Point C was already required to sign a code of conduct and register their car registration plates.

EDF Energy said staff were warned against fly-parking and patrols are regularly carried out on local streets in search of workers’ cars.

Residents can report suspected cases via an online form.

Mike Caswell, the Conservative councillor for Cannington on Somerset Council, said complaints about parking had been reported in Bridgwater as well as villages such as Wembdon and Cannington.

Workers and contractors heading to the Hinkley Point C site were encouraged to use one of the out of town park-and-ride services.

In July, Somerset Council approved plans for 120 additional car parking spaces at Bridgwater and Albion Rugby Club to help accommodate thousands of workers.

Councillor Caswell said: “It doesn’t stop individuals parking in side streets, causing a nuisance to the residents of the area.”

About 15,000 people were expected to be working on the site to prepare for its completion in 2030.

EDF Energy said there were ongoing information campaigns to remind workers about their responsibility to the local community.

Mr Cockcroft said: “The project is committed to tackling the parking issue, including taking disciplinary action where required.”