New Barrage Proposal Good for South Wales

1.22.26pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd May 2007

Local Councillor and energy expert, Rob Speht is calling for the proposed Severn Barrage to be given a fair chance this time around.

Plans for a £14bn barrage that would harness the tidal energy of the Severn Estuary are set to take a step forward in the Governments announced Energy White Paper

Stretching from the coast near Cardiff to Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, the 10 mile (16km) barrage could supply 5% of the UK's electricity, according to supporters.

"The idea of a barrage has been mooted in different forms since it was first proposed in 1849 and in 1981, the first major study of the environmental impact of such a scheme was carried out with further research in 1989" said Rob Speht "back then it was kicked into the long grass because of the environment impact, but today we live in a World threaten by a much larger environmental danger, Global Warming" he added

"It could create 35,000 construction jobs and between up to 40,000 permanent jobs with a transport link across the top of the barrage that would be a benefit for south Wales" he added "If we move quickly the barrage could be generating electricity within 11 years"

The barrage would work similarly to a dam, which generates hydro electric power by holding water back before it is allowed to flow at speed through a pipe at the base of the dam to drive the turbines. As well as powering around 200 turbines, the barrage would feature locks to let ships pass. The site is attractive for the project because it has the second highest tidal range in the world.

While the barrage would change the local environment and certain birds would probably have to move elsewhere, whilst positive environmental impacts would include saving on greenhouse gas emissions and increased flood protection.