Local interests opt for baby barrage

The inquiry, established by Liberal Democrat MPs, Welsh Assembly Members and councillors in the West of England and Wales, held evidence sessions in Bristol, Portishead and Cardiff. The recommendations came in a blueprint for harnessing the tidal power of the estuary published by the Lib Dems and reported in the Evening Post.

A 10 mile barrage from Brean Down, near Weston-super-Mare, didn’t get the support. Instead, there has been support for another project, the Shoots Barrage near the Second Severn Crossing, which would be one seventh the width of the Cardiff to Weston proposal.

Referring to the significance of moving ahead in an ‘environmentally responsible’ manner, it was felt that it is appropriate to reject the large Cardiff-Weston barrage ‘which could take decades to come on stream and could do untold damage both to the environment and to the local economy through its impact on the Port of Bristol.’

One of its other key recommendations was to seriously invest in innovative technology such as the tidal ‘reef’.

The Government’s first Severn Tidal Power feasibility consultation has now closed. The Government’s response to the consultation and confirmation of the shortlist is expected to be published early in the summer.