Energy review should reject large severn barrage

The proposal to build the large Cardiff to Weston tidal barrage across the Severn Estuary should be rejected by the government because it would cause significant environmental damage, restrict navigation to some ports and preclude better systems from being developed. This is the message to the government from Friends of the Earth Cymru in advance of the Energy Review that is due to be published tomorrow.

Neil Crumpton, campaigner at Friends of the Earth Cymru, said:

"Senior politicians are saying that all options and combinations of tidal energy technologies are being considered in the Severn estuary. However, the Cardiff-Weston barrage does look to be favoured by some despite the highest environmental designations and the growing navigation concerns expressed by port operators around Avonmouth. Indeed, the Cardiff-Weston barrage is seen by some politicians and developers as a grandiose economic development project as much as an energy generating one, despite the potentially large negative effect on Avonmouth.

"Alternatives to the Cardiff-Weston barrage include large tidal lagoons possibly in combination with a smaller 'Shoots Barrage' that could also carry a new London-south Wales rail link. Such a combination of schemes could probably generate as much energy as the Cardiff-Weston barrage without impeding navigation or severely damaging the rare and protected ecology of the Severn Estuary."