26th May 2007

The Government's call for a full review of the Severn barrage is making a mistake as it fails to look at the other possibilities for power generation in the Severn (Citizen 25/05/07). Greens are excited about the possibilities of using tidal power but we want to see the better, less damaging alternatives considered.

The 10 mile long barrage will take many years to develop, cost £14 billion plus and have potentially hugely negative environmental impacts. Instead the Green Party have backed overwhelmingly the development of lagoons and tidal stream turbines.

The lagoons offer the potential to deliver similar energy outputs, developed incrementally and more quickly. They are also more affordable and offer a less damaging solution to the River Severn’s vitally important ecology.  We cannot afford to support renewable energy solutions which take years to start working and further damage the region’s environment.

We have seen 10 years of rising CO2 emissions, now we have another Commons statement, another white paper and another lot of consultation, but we are not anywhere near on course for a low carbon economy. It is time for action now. The Government ruled out a barrage in 2003 because of its huge cost and the environmental harm it would cause. They along with our County Council should instead start supporting the building of tidal lagoons now.

Cllr Martin Whiteside
District Councillor and Stroud Green Party Parliamentary Spokesperson
Thrupp, Stroud