The Kier BAM joint venture has agreed a deal to restart enabling works at the site on the contract which was originally valued at £100m.

Site Preparation work was stopped in April but will now restart following this week’s funding agreement between EDF Energy and the China General Nuclear Corporation.

The enabling works will create 600 construction jobs and involve substantial excavation of over 5.5 million cubic metres of material, large scale earthworks, complex terracing structures and the creation of an expansive road network.

Sean Jeffery, Kier executive director, infrastructure and overseas said: “We have worked closely with the new nuclear team at EDF Energy to respond to key challenges, so we are proud of the role that we have played in helping the project to reach this critical milestone.

“It is an exciting time; we are at the forefront of the nuclear renaissance for the energy sector, and Hinkley Point C will be a seminal project for the industry.

“Today marks a key step change in momentum, and now enables us to recruit industry talent and local expertise in order to resource according to meet our expanded brief.”

Stephen Fox, Chief Executive BAM Nuttall, said: “This is a significant milestone in the ultimate delivery of this scheme.

“We are proud to be associated with a project that will play a significant part in providing for the future energy needs of the United Kingdom.”