Project Update – April 2026

Introduction

The works on Sizewell C project are progressing very well and on track. We are looking forward to attending the Suffolk Show 27 – 28 May and will have a pavilion on Flower Avenue and hope to see you there. There are several summer events that Sizewell C are excited to support and will have a presence including:

Cinema in the Park on Saturday 1 August at Victory Road Recreation Centre, Leiston with free entry! an open day at Wild Aldhurst 11 July, First Light festival 20 – 21 June and the Royal Norfolk Show 24-25 June. You can read more on the Sizewell C website

Off Site Infrastructure

Park and Rides:
The Southern and Northern Park and Ride car parks are open and our workforce are using the facilities and being bused onto site, reducing the traffic on the local road network. At the Northern Park and Ride, there are now 280 spaces and eighty spaces at the Southern Park and Ride. We are further increasing capacity throughout May.

Southern Park and Ride (SPR): Works on the A12 at Wickham Market have now been completed, with a new speed restriction in place for 50mph on the Northbound Lane just after the turning to Wickham Market, this includes a new lane merging as traffic heads towards Marlesford. The majority of the works on the slip road heading onto the Northbound A12 at Wickham market are also now complete with commissioning of street lighting to follow. The construction of the Southern Park and Ride will be completed by the Autumn of this year.

Northern Park and Ride (NPR):  The works to link the roundabout to the A12, Willow Marsh Lane and the NPR are almost complete. The works have been conducted at night and under traffic management to avoid closing the A12 during the day. The temporary traffic lights at the roundabout will be lifted at the end of the week (Friday 1st May) and traffic flows will improve. The construction of the NPR is expected to finish in Autumn 2026.

Roads:
Two Village Bypass (TVB): The two village Bypass around St Andrews and Farnham is now in the full construction phase. Most of the works are conducted away from the existing road network, which will reduce disruption on the road network. The new works compound that will be accessed from the A12 is now operating and the speed limits along the A12 have now returned to normal (30mph through the villages of Farnham and St Andrew, 50mph on the A12 towards or coming from Ipswich).

Sizewell Link Road (SLR): The new works compound, including the office installation and welfare facilities, located at the western end of the Sizewell Link Road (SLR), is making good progress and remains on programme to be fully operational by mid-June.

Construction traffic accessing the works site to the west of the railway line continues to do so via the A12. Works within this area currently include early earthworks, drainage activities, and preparing the pilling platform for the new rail bridge.

Our contractor and Suffolk County Council (SCC) are in the final stages of agreeing a new access point to the west of Middleton Moor. This will enable SLR construction traffic requiring access to locations east of the railway line to be diverted away from the B1122 through Middleton Moor and Theberton.

Further works are also underway to provide a continuous internal haul road within the site. Once complete, this will allow additional SLR construction traffic to be redirected away from the B1122.

As part of the required road closures off the B1122, we are expecting to close Moat Road at the B1122 junction at the end of May to facilitate the road adjustments needed for both Moat Road and George Road ahead of the construction of this section of the Sizewell Link Road.

Local Road network: In May and June Sizewell C will continue to make general improvements on local roads, in particular on the B1122 and the A12 at Marlesford. These works will improve safety accessibility and include carriageway surfacing, new footways, vegetation management for improved visibility, signage, and village gateways, with a signalised crossing also installed at Marlesford. This work will involve traffic management during the day and some night time closures to maximize time and lessen disruption on the road network during the working day.

Roundabouts: Works continue at Friday Street to clear the redundant parts of the A12 and Friday Street in preparation for landscaping and the construction of new footways. In mid- May there will be a requirement for night time closures of the A12 at Friday Street for finalising tie in works to the road network.

At Yoxford, as part of the remaining tie in works to the road network and removal of the old A12, there will be a full road closure of the A12 for two weekends in May. The timings of the road closure will be from 8pm on Friday 8th May – 0500 am Monday 11th May 2026 and then the following weekend from 8pm Friday 15th May – 0500am Monday 18 May.

The diversion route is A12, A146, A143, A140 and A14. You can view the diversion route on the Causeway one.network.  Further information can also be found on the works tracker Sizewell C Works Tracker - Track SZC Projects & Get Alerts for New Activities

These works will also be highlighted on the road network via the Variable Message Signs (VMS) electronic, LED-based traffic signs and the online Sizewell C Works Tracker

Rail

Leiston line: Sizewell C has met an important milestone with level crossing rail tracks now crossing Abbey Road (B1122) at Leiston. This has enabled a track laying train to progress the laying of sleepers and rail which has completed the rail connection between the Green Rail Route and the Temporary Construction Area, where all track laying to the sidings has also been completed. The next step is to use the new tracks to deliver ballast to allow completion of the track construction in a continuous route from the Green Rail Route and through the Temporary Construction Area by the end May 2026. We expect the green rail line to be operational at the end of June.

In addition, we are progressing with installation of civil engineering bases and troughing route along the branch line between Saxmundham and the Green Rail Route, including the construction of the new Buckleswood Road level crossing.

East Suffolk Line: From There will be a continuous nine-day closure of the rail line from Saturday 23 May Sunday 31 May. Network Rail will close the train line from Ipswich to Lowestoft; a bus replacement service will be in operation. The closure of the line is to enable civil engineering works which include laying foundations for new and improved signalling equipment, improving and maintaining ballast and electrical wiring troughing. The closure will also enable the first phase on the level crossing upgrades at Melton and Bealings. For more information please contact Network Rail: https://www.networkrail.co.uk and www.greateranglia.co.uk

Temporary Construction Area (TCA)

Work on the North Plaza and the roundabout, which is located to the east of Abbey Road, is on-going by our contractor Jacksons. Kier Construction has been awarded the contract for the construction of the Plaza.

The campus main facility is having framework installed with the first campus bed constructions arriving shortly. Work continues to construct the Bridleway 19 diversion.

Main Construction Area (MCA) including Sizewell Beach   

The Marine Bulk Import Facility (MBIF) construction is ongoing with the installation of piles from a Canti-travel Rig ongoing. The beach is open but subject to short closures to ensure safety and will have marshals directing any walkers or beach users. The Jack Up barge continues to construct MBIF on the shoreline, we expect the works to be complete at the end of the summer 2026. The northern section of the temporary flood defences has had sheet piles installed and working south towards Sizewell B.

Upcoming Community Forums

Thank you for patience during these works. To find out more about the progress of the works the next round of community forums are as follows:

Northern Transport Forum: Wednesday 6 May 1800, at the High Lodge in Darsham.

Southern Transport Forum: Wednesday 3 June 1800, Stratford St Andrew Riverside Centre