SIR — In answer to the letter from Jane Taunton (Free Press January 15), I would hope this will not steer the debate from the Hinkley Point accommodation issue into a discussion regards the pedigree of outsourced workers for the project.
Maybe I should in hindsight have used the word "perhaps" when I mentioned an influx of workers from Eastern Europe.
Of course we are only talking about the horrifying element of any persons involved, whether we are referring to Eastern European or other sourced workers. The same underlying principle applies to British binge drinkers.
If I gave the wrong impression, then I apologise. I do not want this to degenerate into a racism theme.
As rightly pointed out by Jane, reasoned argument should be more appropriate regards EDF developments and any protests of such.
Sadly I am inclined to share Jane's sentiments regards our gangs of British binge drinkers on stag weekends in Prague and Riga. We may as well add Vilnius and the Balearics.
I've seen these Brits drinking beer at 7am at the airports; they take over EasyJet and then spend the bulk of the flight queuing for the toilets.
The venues for these stag dos have adapted to cater for such, and the frivolities are designed to be city centre orientated.
These areas have the night clubs and bars which apart from being the attraction in the first place are equipped and prepared to absorb such activity.
However, in this affair we are talking communities in rural villages and areas such as Williton, Cannington or Stogursey for that matter.
I along with many others have concerns when it comes to itinerant workers being "placed" on the periphery of villages.
Their origin may not particularly matter, but the quantity of ratio over and above the resident male population in these villages will be hugely disproportionate.
Apprehension relates to the subject of social cohesion. In the Ove Arup and Partners Ltd draft report dated December 8, available on the Sedgemoor District Council website, there is a section devoted to such concerns. There is also mention regarding "imported" workers on current similar sites in Finland and Holland.
Can I just ask anyone who lives on the edge of any village to look across the fields, then close your eyes and imagine your vista covered in tarmac, emblazoned by street lighting, housing blocks that look out of place and vehicles transferring freight 24 hours a day?
Instead of listening to owls at night and the dawn chorus, you will be hearing beep beep beep as vehicles reverse.
All of this could be happening outside your bedroom window for up to ten years.
Alex Reed,
Brownings Road,
Cannington.