Sizewell C appoints SPS to deliver workforce transport services, creating at least 400 jobs

Sizewell C has appointed Specialist Passenger Solutions (SPS), a First Bus company, to deliver its transport services for the new nuclear power station under construction on the Suffolk coast. The contract is expected to commence this month and will run for five years.

SPS will run Sizewell C’s Park and Ride services and pick-up points across Suffolk, transporting Sizewell C workers to and from the construction site each day, removing the need for thousands of car journeys. At peak construction, it is estimated that about 7,900 workers will work on site at Sizewell C.

SPS will operate a modern, zero-emission fleet of around 150 hydrogen and electric buses, provided to SPS by Sizewell C, helping the project achieve its aim to deliver low-carbon energy while minimising local transport disruption and environmental impact.

The fleet will be based across Sizewell C’s key operating locations in Suffolk, including at Ransomes Europark in Ipswich. SPS is expected to create around 400 new jobs to support the operation. Roles will include drivers, engineers, and support staff responsible for ensuring the vehicles remain clean, safe, and well maintained.

SPS will recruit from within a 60-minute radius of Sizewell C, ensuring that employment opportunities are accessible to communities across Suffolk and the wider region. Around 75% of new employees are expected to be trainees, supporting SPS’s People Strategy to create inclusive, long-term employment pathways and provide access to well-paid roles for those who may not previously have worked in the sector.

Simon Cursio, Managing Director of SPS, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been awarded this important contract, and to play our part in delivering one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects.

“Our focus will be on maintaining the highest standards of safety, reliability, and sustainability as we support the UK’s clean energy future through the development of Sizewell C and the delivery of low-carbon nuclear power.

“This contract represents a significant investment in the region which will create new local jobs and supply chain opportunities, while ensuring efficient, low-carbon transport for the Sizewell C workforce.”

SPS brings extensive experience from its operations at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, where it has successfully managed workforce transport for the UK’s largest construction site since 2016. Each day, SPS moves more than 12,000 people, reducing congestion and carbon emissions through innovative transport planning and fleet management.

Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director, Sizewell C, said: “We’re pleased to extend our partnership with SPS as the transport provider for Sizewell C. Their proven experience at Hinkley Point C, commitment to sustainability, and strong record of collaboration with local communities make them an ideal partner as we progress through the construction phase.”

Sizewell C’s Northern Park and Ride site at Darsham opened to colleagues in November, while the Southern Park and Ride site near Wickham Market opened mid-February. Both sites will be fully operational later this year and will  accommodate up to 2,500 vehicles.

Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, said: “By backing Sizewell C, we are supporting local jobs in Suffolk and boosting homegrown supply chains as part of our new golden age of nuclear.

“This transport contract will play a key role in supporting the workforce at Sizewell C, helping to drive Britain’s clean energy mission and strengthening our energy security.”

SPS will build on its success at Hinkley Point C with a strong local focus - creating new jobs, supporting regional businesses, and delivering social value initiatives. These include partnerships with schools and community organisations through programmes such as the Accelerator Programme, which provides educational resources and mentorship, and the Primary School Creativity Contest, inspiring young people to explore careers linked to sustainable transport.

Since September 2024, SPS has operated a limited number of passenger services for Sizewell C. It currently runs eight routes across the project and manages a trial of four hydrogen buses introduced by Sizewell C last year.