SIR — I have just picked up a copy of the recent edition of "Your Somerset" (Sedgemoor edition) as delivered free to all households in this area.

I suspect the other regions would have a similar item in their regional version of this publication.

I feel I need to question the positives within on the recent applications by Électricité de France.

Personally I am in favour of the economic prosperity this should bring, and having grown up in the electrical supply industry I would normally advocate such a project.

However, the way in which this has been undertaken by my local authority has perplexed me.

I read with interest the article relating to the Hinkley Point C Power Station proposal and was horrified at some of what I read, or perhaps I should say the manner of presentation.

To begin with, the editorial looks very welcoming to this anticipated project; the way in which this has been composed will probably be appreciated by ÉDF, being the anticipated builders and operators.

I am very concerned with the problems and issues such a build will bring to the area, which will surpass any benefits, in particular regarding roads as well as housing.

This development will be the largest in Europe and therefore will bring problems of a pro rata nature in scale, and I am surprised and disappointed that Somerset County Council seems to be so positive and upbeat in spite of these potential issues.

It mentions a "huge influx of workers". That statement demonstrates the likelihood of workers outside of Somerset getting the benefit.

Fortunately it has picked up the important fact regarding impact on our roads. Can I assume reassurance that the county council recognises that Bridgwater will become gridlocked and Cannington will have to suffer all the construction traffic until EdF feels fit to apply for and subsequently build the Cannington western by-pass, which incidentally will be near the end of the build programme?

The article then give loads of figures and statistics named as the "Hinkley Fact File".

To be honest these figures will prove to be inaccurate and I must question the validity of such numbers as published.

"2019 Hinkey begins operating" - Flamanville in France is already three years behind schedule and Olkiluoto in Finland is currently four years over schedule, and both are seriously over budget. Amendments in light of the Fukushima disaster are likely to extend these times even further.

The proposed number of construction workers is supposed to be 5,700 according to EdF, so where did 20,000 to 25,000 come from?

"900 Workers when operational" - some of which will simply move over from existing stations that are to be decommissioned, and from other areas.

"£45 million benefits to Somerset's construction supply chain" - provided we in Somerset can provide this support of course; it could simply be too big for a lot of us.

"250,000 visitors per year to the visitor centre" - where does this figure come from? That would beat Minehead Butlins which according to their website is Europe's largest holiday complex. What attraction apart from industry related visitors could Hinkley Point C possibly have?

The point is, if all these statistics as the county has published are correct, then surely Somerset County Council along with other bodies must push for a full and proper infrastructure including the necessary access roads, by-passes etc as well as permanent and appropriate housing in order to satisfy the demands this project will place upon our communities.

The authors of this publication are aware there will be transport and housing issues but don't look as if they are prepared to stand up to EDF.

I would like some reassurance that despite this article our local authority is considering the interests of those of us who happen to live here.

Sadly it is too late to redress the points as made as the deadline for registration with the IPC is close and the published item may well influence people wrongly.

Alex Reed,

Cannington.