Sizewell C opens section of Northern Park and Ride site easing congestion on local roads

• The announcement marks a significant milestone in the project’s infrastructure development
• 2,500 vehicles will eventually use the two park and ride sites, located in Darsham and near Wickham Market
• The sites will reduce the number of cars travelling to and from Leiston, easing congestion on local roads

Sizewell C has officially opened the first section of its Northern Park and Ride facility at Darsham, marking a significant milestone in the project’s local infrastructure development.

The partial opening will support the increasing number of people on the Sizewell C team who commute to the Temporary Construction Area and Ancillary Construction Area on the outskirts of Leiston, providing a dedicated shuttle bus to site.

By providing a convenient transport hub, the project will help to reduce traffic congestion and minimise emissions. The news follows the project’s announcement earlier this year that it was trialling hydrogen buses to transport its team to site.

The Northern Park and Ride will be fully operational by summer 2026.

Nigel Cann, Joint Managing Director, Sizewell C, said: “I’m really proud of the team for working so hard to get the Northern Park and Ride partially open. Building a nuclear power station inevitably causes some disruption, but significant off-site infrastructure projects like this will remove thousands of cars traveling in and out of Leiston every day. This is a great milestone to reach, and the two sites will develop further in the coming months, with a full opening next summer.”

Strategically located off Willow Marsh Lane, by the A12, the Northern Park and Ride site will eventually accommodate up to 1,250 vehicles.

The service is initially running a limited number of journeys but will eventually provide a 24/7 timetable.

Sizewell C’s Southern Park and Ride site near Wickham Market is also expected to open in phases over the coming months. Both sites will be serviced by more than 100 zero-emission buses.

Mike New, a Senior Project Manager for Site Delivery who uses the Northern Park and Ride, said: “I have been able to arrange my schedule to suit the current timetable, and I enjoy the 30% reduction in travel costs – it’s a big financial saving. It’s also nice being able to sit back and relax on my way to and from the ACA.

“I have worked on site for more than two and a half years, and in that time, I have realised the value of ‘early adoption’ of the various new systems and infrastructure that we’re introducing. The park and ride sites are an obvious requirement for Sizewell C, and they’re a really important way to transport our workforce safely, and limit traffic on East Suffolk roads.”

The two park and ride sites are part of Sizewell C’s broader commitment to minimising the environmental impact of construction activities and easing pressure on local roads.

Shuttle services currently run from Lowestoft and Pakefield Village, Martlesham Park and Ride, Ipswich Railway Station and Saxmundham Railway Station.

Sizewell C’s other major infrastructure projects include the construction of the Two Village Bypass around the villages of Stratford St Andrew and Farnham, the 6.5km Sizewell Link Road, and upgrades to key junctions of the A12.

Sizewell C continues to work closely with Suffolk County Council and local stakeholders to ensure safe and efficient traffic management throughout the construction period. Further updates will be shared via the Sizewell C Works Tracker and community forums.

For more information, visit www.szcworkstracker.co.uk.