Aggregate from Whatley Quarry, near Frome, that is being used to make concrete for the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, is now going to be sent via rail and sea.

Hinkley Point C today (September 3) officially opened its new jetty for the transportation of goods to the site, and the "vast majority" of aggregate quarried at Whatley will now be delivered via rail to Avonmouth Docks and Bristol Port before being shipped down to the jetty.

It is estimated each delivery of 6,000 tonnes of aggregate keeps around 300 lorry loads off the roads around Somerset, and the jetty is expected to handle the equivalent of around 100,000 lorry loads over its lifetime.

John Chaplin, director of external affairs and special projects at Bristol Port, said: "As a family company, with many of our extended team living in the towns and villages around Bristol and Somerset, we recognise how important it is to protect our local environment.

"We are therefore delighted to support the Hinkley project in delivering significant environmental benefits by reducing freight on the roads.

"Sea transport is a very efficient and clean way to move heavy materials, saving millions of road miles every year nationwide, and we are delighted it is playing such a key role in the logistical supply chain for Hinkley."

Will Barker, Hinkley Point C's harbour master, said: "The new jetty is part of our plan for helping the construction of Hinkley Point C to be both efficient and to lessen its environmental impact.

"The power station will play a major part in fighting climate change and its low carbon electricity will avoid the emission of more than 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The jetty is an example of how we are making a difference during the construction phase too."

Bristol Port has a strong heritage over the past three decades supporting the energy industry as it has shifted from coal to biomass, wind, solar, battery and nuclear power.

It announced last summer a partnership with Hanson UK to bring aggregate in from Whatley Quarry, destined for Hinkley.

The cargo comes in via train to Avonmouth Dock, where the port has invested in new machines to boost discharging speed.  

It then travels the final 32 miles to the site by sea, via the MV Aastun. Other large loads are being delivered by sea to Combwich Wharf on the River Parrett.