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There are numerous calls for the UK government to intervene and temporarily halt construction at Hinkey Point C during the coronavirus outbreak.

Numerous "worried" workers at the construction site of Britain's first nuclear power plant in decades have expressed their concerns about the perceived lack of social distancing measures and hygiene issues.

EDF, who is behind the multi-billion pound project in Somerset, has responded to workers' anxieties and already slashed its workforce to around 2,000 and implemented further social distancing measures.

Site workers using local accommodation will now be housed at Hinkley Point C's two campus sites while bus pick-up stops used by workers in Bridgwater are no longer used.

The energy giant said it was continuing with the project to build the nuclear power plant but the "safety of workers and the community" was paramount.

Yet figures from the environmental community have continued to call for the multi-billion project to be temporarily halted during the outbreak to protect residents and staff and lower the risk of coronavirus.

Roy Pumfrey, a spokesman for Stop Hinkley, wrote to the acting Prime Minster, Dominic Raab, to "put a stop to the reckless and possibly dangerous government support" for the ongoing construction for at least the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He wrote: "The risk to the local population is due to workers coming from cities where COVID-19 is at much higher levels than here in Somerset.

"EDF cannot 'confine to barracks' workers in its hostels, themselves a potential breeding ground for COVID-19, so when workers venture out there is a much greater risk of spreading COVID-19 than if they were on furlough and staying at home.

"Please do not underestimate the extent of this problem. Apart from in hospitals, there cannot be many places in the UK like Hinkley Point C where, after the Easter break, 2,000 people will be gathered for work that could and should be postponed due to COVID-19."

A group of anti-nuclear Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) and the UK & Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) have also written a joint statement in which they stated they were "highly alarmed" that construction was ongoing and had raised their concerns with the government.

A statement reads: "NGOs and the NFLA are aware that construction at the comparable Flamanville-3 new nuclear plant has been reduced to control and maintenance levels only – the same should happen for Hinkley Point C.

(Image: EDF/WDP)

"It remains an anomaly of the current lockdown and social distancing rules in the UK and Ireland that construction plants are allowed to continue in operation.

"The NGOs and NFLA call on the UK government to remove this anomaly, given the concern that it may be putting at risk members of the public and the workforce to infection, however tight social distancing rules on the site may be."

Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, recently showed his support for workers in the construction industry during the coronavirus pandemic.

Got a view on this story or is there another issue you want us to investigate? Do you have an opinion on this story? Do you have a story or issue in Bridgwater, Taunton or West Somerset story you want us to investigate? If so, please get in touch with reporter Michael Taylor who covers the area for Somerset Live. You can get in touch with him via: Email: michael.taylor@reachplc.com; Tweet: @JournoMikeT; Call: 07790590652

There is currently no suggestion that Hinkley Point C will be temporarily shut down as EDF continue to adhere to social distancing measures.

A spokesman for Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: "Our overriding concern is always safety, which is why we have published clear guidance from Public Health England for people who cannot work from home.

"This means that construction sites in England should continue to operate and that employers should ensure workers are able to follow that guidance."

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The energy giant said it was continuing to build Hinkley Point C, set to be completed in 2025, with strict social distancing measures in place.

Nigel Cann, Construction Delivery Director for Hinkley Point C, said: "We are continuing to follow Government and Public Health England advice and we work under the oversight of our independent regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation.

"The Office for Nuclear Regulation has said that it is assured that control measures in place at Hinkley Point C are appropriate."