Hinkley bus contract will see 40 new North Somerset jobs created

The Somerset power station finally looks set to be built after overcoming years of red tape and financial wrangles, and the project has long been predicted to offer a shot in the arm for the county’s economy.

One business which looks set to benefit from substantial new business is Weston bus firm Crosville, which will play a role in transporting workers to and from the site.

Crosville will deliver the North Somerset part of Somerset Passenger Solutions (SPS), a £70million transport network which will see up to 200 vehicles operating seven days a week to shuttle as many as 7,500 workers between the nuclear site and their accommodation around the region.

Crosville owner Jonathan Jones-Pratt said: “We are very excited to announce that Crosville WSM will now form part of a outstation for SPS offering some 40 jobs for the North Somerset region.

“The response through the recruitment drives has been great and we are looking forward to welcoming our new drivers to work from this exciting opportunity.

“This is a great milestone and again this demonstrates the core values of our business looking to reinvest in the local town.

“Weston has always been the hub and heart of the operation; after all this is where the legacy began.

“For me it’s always about looking back and reinvesting in our roots and remembering legacy. By opening up our out-station here at Crosville it does just that, and the response from our staff, both new and old, demonstrates this – it’s a great good news story for Weston.”

Mr Jones-Pratt says he believes the importance Crosville places on heritage and culture helped shape the decision of Hinkley owner EDF when awarding the contract.

He also believes the firm’s pay policy – which he says includes ‘great benefits’ and pay levels which are ‘the highest in the area’ – will help it attract high-calibre drivers and staff to fill the 40 new positions.