LibDems oppose Brean Down barrage plans (From Bridgwater Mercury)

LibDems oppose Brean Down barrage plans

5:20pm Wednesday 23rd September 2009 in Search By David Hemming

LIBERAL Democrats have this week poured cold water on plans for a giant energy barrage between Brean Down and Wales.

Speaking at the party's annual autumn conference in Bournemouth, LibDem MP Steve Webb said the need to harness renewable energy was urgent and a tidal barrage stretching from Brean Down to Lavernock Point could take decades to build.

The project is one of five options on a Government shortlist to use the natural energy in the Severn Estuary to produce power.

The LibDems have instead thrown their backing behind the swift construction of the smaller 'Shoots' barrage, close to the line of the Severn Crossing.

The LibDems say the project could also carry a high-speed rail link and could provide more than 1% of the UK's electricity needs within the next ten years.

Burnham and Highbridge LibDem town councillor Joe Leach has been at the conference with parliamentary candidate Tessa Munt.

He said: “I am against the location of the Brean Down scheme and I think it should be further downstream.

“In principal it isn't necessarily a bad idea but we are between a rock and a hard place in terms of the need for renewable energy and not disturbing natural habitats.”

EXPERTS will be discussing the Severn Estuary renewable energy plans with members of the public on Saturday, October 24.

The event will be held at the Blakehay Centre on Wadham Street in Weston, from 9.45am until 12.45pm.

For more information call 01934-623000 or 01934-620006.