Support grows for multi-billion pound tidal reef across Bristol Channel

Published: November 21, 2008
Support grows for multi-billion pound tidal reef across Bristol Channel

Support for a multi-billion pound proposed tidal reef across the Bristol Channel between Minehead and Aberthaw, which could protect Burnham-On-Sea from tidal surges and flooding, is growing with a new study out this week backing the scheme.

Burnham-On-Sea.com exclusively featured the proposals for the Severn Tidal Reef in July this year - and a new study out this week claims the structure could create more power than the other planned schemes, which include the proposed barrage between Brean Down and Wales.

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) is currently undertaking a feasibility study into renewable energy proposals in the Severn Estuary and a shortlist of options is due to be announced within the next few weeks.

Rupert Armstrong Evans of the Severn Tidal Reef Project told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Thursday: "Renewable Energy has been in the news a lot recently and the arguments over the Severn Barrage have become very heated but this could all change as a result of a recently completed report by WS Atkins, commissioned by the RSPB, on our totally new concept in environmentally-friendly tidal generation."

He claimed: "The consultants concluded that a 'Severn Tidal Power Reef' is feasible, and would generate more power than the other proposals, including the much criticised Cardiff-Weston barrage."

"It would also cost £2bn less using the same financial model. The pre-requisites of this project are that it should cause no significant environmental degradation and not kill or injure migrating fish or marine mammals," added Mr Armstrong Evans.

"As the proposal explains, the difference in water level caused by the 'Reef' is small and the turbines are very large and slow running. The danger presented to fish would be less than that experienced while ascending even a modest obstruction in the upper reaches of a Welsh river."

"Because the design only delays the tide by an hour or so, the small changes in level have virtually no impact on the valuable inter-tidal feeding grounds for wading birds."

Unlike other tidal barrages designed to hold back the full height of the tide, the 'Reef' works with only two metres of tidal fall, and 'slices off' the power over a much longer generation period. It is claimed that this makes it easier to generate power to match peaks in electricity demand.

The full range of the tide would be harnessed by a large number of simple low-head turbines along the 12-mile route from near Minehead to Aberthaw in Wales.

24-hour live pictures
See live images from the seafront and beach with Burnham's Webcam. Click here

Things to see and do
Check the constantly updated Burnham-On-Sea calendar for what's happening. Click here