EDF Energy has awarded a £30 million contract to build a temporary sea jetty at the site of its proposed new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point to Hampshire-based Dean and Dyball Civil Engineering.

But the jetty will only be built if EDF confirms it will bankroll the Hinkley C project - a final investment decision on the development is expected sometime towards the end of next month.

While there was no news on the exact timing of that announcement, the firm this week hailed the awarding of the contract as another step towards readiness for work to begin on what would be Britain's first new nuclear power station for a generation.

Construction of the 500 metre long jetty is expected to employ 120 people at its peak, with the jetty allowing materials for the proposed Hinkley Point C station to be delivered by sea.

EDF estimates that each shipload would take 250 lorries off local roads, reducing carbon emissions in line with the firm's transport and sustainability strategy.

After the completion of the power station, the jetty would be removed and the area restored.

The contract follows the completion of the Planning Inspectorate's six month long examination of EDF Energy's application to build and operate Hinkley Point C, with a recommendation to the Secretary of State due before Christmas.

This month the number of Somerset companies signed up as potential suppliers to the project also passed the 1,000 mark.

EDF said the outcome of its final investment decision depended on further progress being made with the Government on the financing of new nuclear power stations in the UK.

Hinkley Point C will see the first new nuclear reactors built in the UK for around 20 years, with the proposed new station capable of providing enough low carbon electricity to power five million homes.

Dean and Dyball Civil Engineering, which is part of Balfour Beatty, will have to complete detailed engineering and onshore and offshore surveys before building the jetty, the pier head and the associated on-shore structures.

Fairport Engineering Limited has already been appointed by EDF Energy to provide the systems which will take materials from the jetty to the construction site.

Nigel Cann, Hinkley Point C construction director at EDF Energy, said: "Our team will soon be ready to deliver Hinkley Point C, a project similar in scale to the Olympics, which will bring immense benefits in jobs, skills and economic growth.

"The temporary jetty contract will help us get to work quickly and will reduce the impact of the construction of the proposed new nuclear power station on both the local community and the environment.

"We're pleased to welcome Dean and Dyball Civil Engineering to the team that will help deliver our project."

Graeme Barclay, regional director of Balfour Beatty, said he was delighted the company had secured the contract.

"Already an established regional business, we are fully committed to the community and welcome opportunities to employ local workforce, working collaboratively with EDF to successfully deliver this challenging project," he said.