Up to 8,000 workers will be transported to and from the UK’s largest construction site under a new bus service contract won by FirstGroup plc’s subsidiary, Specialist Passenger Solutions (SPS), with Browne Jacobson’s support.  

The UK and Ireland law firm advised SPS during its successful tender for the bus transport services contract at the Sizewell C nuclear power station project.

SPS will run worker transport and site shuttle services from points across Suffolk, to and from Sizewell C, which will generate 3.2 gigawatts of low-carbon energy once operational. Preliminary construction work began in 2024 and the project is anticipated to be completed in the mid-2030s.  

The contract has a term of up to five years from July 2026, and SPS will operate a modern, zero-emission fleet of about 150 buses, including hydrogen and electric vehicles, provided to SPS by Sizewell C Ltd. The new SPS operation is expected to create about 400 new jobs, including drivers, engineers and support staff.

At peak construction, it is estimated that nearly 8,000 workers will be working at Sizewell C. SPS will be able to make use of its 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 and currently transports more than 12,000 people a day.

Zoe Stollard, Partner in the energy and infrastructure team at Browne Jacobson, said: “Sizewell C is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the UK's recent history, and getting the workforce logistics right from day one is critical to its success. 

“We are proud to have supported SPS through a complex and competitive tender process in order to secure a contract that enables the transportation of thousands of workers to and from a site where low-carbon nuclear energy will be generated for decades to come once the site is operational.

“This project is a great example of how clean energy ambitions and sustainable transport can go hand in hand, while showcasing our ambitions to work with clients at the forefront of society’s biggest issues.”

Simon Cursio, Managing Director at SPS, said: “Having successfully managed workforce transport at Hinkley Point C for a decade, we know what it takes to keep a major construction site moving safely and efficiently. 

“We are proud to bring that experience to Sizewell C and to be delivering a zero-emission fleet for this landmark project, while creating new jobs in Suffolk. Throughout the tender process, we were thankful for the support provided by Browne Jacobson, whose expertise in energy and infrastructure was invaluable in helping us secure this opportunity.”