IN an age where we now require clean renewable energy, why have successive governments ignored the Severn barrage, which would provide reliable clean tidal power?
Tidal power is not at the whim of the wind or the sun and does not have the horrific costs, risks and disposal problems of decommissioning nuclear power stations.
The Severn barrage scheme was designed and costed by British civil engineers more than 30 years ago and could provide us with a large proportion of our electricity requirements.
At high and low tide, for a short period of time, there would be no difference in head between inside and outside the barrage to drive the turbines, however this is taken care of by the provision of a smaller barrage tucked away at one side behind the main barrage, which would provide the difference in head required to drive the turbines at the turn of the tide.
The Severn barrage, which would have a virtually limitless life, could be built by British civil engineering contractors with British funding, and we would not be at the mercy of the French and Chinese Governments who own the companies that are holding us to ransom with the Hinckley Point nuclear power station.
RW Alexander, Darlington.