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Do we know what sort of barrage, I assume a floating tidal one?
My somewhat noddy understanding of these units, probably based on watching Tomorrows World, is that they float on water, as long as they are not the sort that create lagoons. How does that have a hugely detrimental affect on wildlife. Or am I totally and utterly wrong and the plan is flood half the severn estuary?
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sorry wrong, nothing floating. A massive barrage attached to the bottom allowing water up streaming holding it to create a head of water and then allowing to escape through turbines, hence generating electricity.
I studied this proposal in the late 80's for my Geog A level, as it was proposed back then too, but they were going to put a road on it! The ideas for a massive barrage were also developed by Adolf Hitler had he ever managed to get a foot hold on mainland Britain.
The same objections were raised then, 80's not Adolf, as now.
Along with the loss of habitat, damage to interesting geological sites, damage to spawning grounds, inability of fish to move upstream, there is the issue of heavy metal pollution which was a major objection way back then. There has been heavy industry, smelting etc in the region for hundreds of years in South Wales, Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Bristol and Avonmouth.
If i remember correctly the estuary doesn't actually clean itself the water just moves back and forth hence its interesting colour. The result of this is decades of heavy metal pollution trapped in the silt of the estuary. this alone will cost millions in attempting to clean up and may/will release contaminants into the open environment where as now they are quite nicely trapped away.
my take on the energy issue... reduce what we are using, turn off the tele' at the wall each night, i could go on!! instead of massive production each house should have a small generating unit built in, wind, solar, heat pumps not neccesarily taking you off the grid but heavily subsidising your energy needs, I am currently looking very deeply in to this for my own home and businesses.