Sizewell C receives first commercial freight train via new rail link

The first commercial freight train has arrived at the Sizewell C nuclear power plant construction site in Suffolk via the new Green Rail Route. The 270-metre-long train transported over 1,000 tonnes of construction materials from Tunstead Quarry in Derbyshire to the site's Temporary Construction Area.

The 2.8km rail link is designed to bypass Leiston, allowing for overnight material transport and reducing the reliance on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Sizewell C estimates that each freight train removes the equivalent of approximately 50 HGV journeys from local roads. The project aims to deliver 60% of its materials by rail and sea to minimize the impact on local communities.

While the rail link supports construction logistics, critics have raised concerns regarding the site's vulnerability to climate change. Observers note that the Sizewell B and Sizewell C locations are situated on one of Europe's fastest-eroding coastlines, making them susceptible to storm surges, flooding, and increased wildfire risks.