MILLIONS of pounds and hundreds of new jobs could finally be unlocked as EDF Energy gave the clearest signal yet that it is ready to re-start work on Hinkley Point C.

The site has effectively been mothballed since April last year but ground workers could be back in action by the summer - triggering a flurry of funding opportunities for local people.

Senior EDF Energy board members met last Wednesday and gave the go-ahead for workers to "prepare to commence phase two" of the site preparation works in readiness for what would be Britain's first new nuclear power station for a generation.

However, the company is only committing to "reversible" works at this stage as the Government's electricity price deal for Hinkley C has yet to be given the all-clear by Europe.

In a statement, EDF said: "These initial works include the construction of roundabouts, temporary construction roads and drainage works, all of which are reversible because EDF Energy announced last October that its final investment decision would follow a decision on EU State Aid."

West Somerset Council gave planning permission for large-scale preparation works at the site in the summer of 2011.

As part of that permission it also secured millions of pounds for the local community to try to offset the impact of the work.

A new roundabout at Washford Cross and cash for tourism, leisure facilities and other schemes were all agreed.

But until EDF physically starts to dig the foundations for the new station, much of the money is being held back and will not be released until a final investment decision is made to go ahead with Hinkley C.

EDF confirmed the work earmarked for the summer would release some but not all of the funding and said no start date had been agreed for a roundabout at Washford Cross.

However, it did reveal plans had already been drawn up for the scheme: "The county council's technical evaluation of our plans for a roundabout at Washford Cross will be completed very shortly.

"We will publish a timetable for these important road improvements once our plans for subsequent stages of the project are confirmed," a company spokesman said.

The works agreed by the board last week include road improvements close to the site - while Cannington residents were given an indication their long-awaited bypass could also be in the offing when EDF held an information drop-in event in the village on Wednesday.

"This start of enabling works on site triggers various financial payments to West Somerset Council including the first tranche of money to the Community Impact Mitigation Fund.

"West Somerset Council plans to issue details of how local organisations may make bids to this fund shortly.

"Other preparatory work currently underway includes improvements to the local road infrastructure, significant investment in skills and training facilities, engaging with local companies who may be able to bid for elements of the various contracts and opening up new employment opportunities," the energy company said in its statement.

Cllr Tim Taylor, leader of West Somerset Council welcomed EDF's announcement and said he hoped the company would make its final investment decision later this year.

"We are very encouraged by the news that EDF Energy will undertake further preparatory works.

"Respecting that further decisions from the EU Commission and EDF are needed before the main development can start, this early work will put in place key infrastructure and other measures to enable the building of the new power station to commence both quickly and efficiently.

"West Somerset Council continues to place very high priority on this nationally and internationally important project.

"Our officer team, which has been boosted by additional skills and experience as part of our joint project with Taunton Deane Borough Council, continues to work hard to maximise the opportunities for our West Somerset businesses and communities," Cllr Taylor said.

He said councillors and officers were particularly keen to offer as much support as possible to people living in and around the parish of Stogursey and said the council would continue to work closely with EDF.

"We will make a further announcement on the details of the Community Impact Mitigation Fund soon," Cllr Taylor said.