South West and Midland

Birmingham:   usually meets on 3rd Mondays
Cheltenham:  meets on 2nd Tuesdays and occasionally on Saturdays
Hereford:      meets on 1st Wednesdays

SOUTH-WEST AND MIDLAND REGION SEMINAR
25 April 2009: Minsterworth Village Hall, Gloucestershire
“A Severn Barrage: is the tide of opinion turning?”

The seminar was opened by the Mayor of Tewkesbury, Councillor Brian Calway, who congratulated NCW upon holding a seminar on this topical subject, of particular interest to Tewkesbury as the town had been badly affected by the floods in 2007.

Our President, Sheila Eaton, attended and helped to entertain our dignitaries: the Mayor and Mayoress of Tewkesbury and the Mayor-Elect of Gloucester, Councillor Chris Witts, who will take office in May, as well as the speakers.

Our first speaker was a member of the Severn Tidal Team of the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) which was formed just a few months ago, when these issues ceased to come within the aegis of DEFRA.
David Roberts explained in detail that a barrage across the Severn Estuary was only one of several options to use the energy potential in the Severn tides to reduce carbon emissions. A feasibility study of a long list of options recognised that there were ten possible tidal power options for consideration and these were reduced to five options at a consultation held on 24 April 2009. He stressed that the greatest possible consideration was being given to environmental issues, including the needs of migratory birds, fish, the use of the mud flats and tourist and leisure needs, mentioning the international interest in Severn Bore surfing, when visitors come from countries all over the world to participate in the unique experience afforded in the Severn Estuary. DECC has produced a comprehensive report on the Phase One Consultation, which goes into detail on all aspects of this controversial subject. 

Dr Sean Christian, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, used an excellent Power Point Presentation to supplement his talk and explained that a full Severn Barrage at the seaward side of the Estuary would not be legally viable as the area had Pan-European protection. He spoke of established systems in France and Holland which were already saving energy and remarked that Britain was “dragging its feet”. He gave a number of examples of damage which would be done to the ecology of the area if a full barrage were to be built, mentioning salmon, seals, eels and many species of birds: the mud flats which would be destroyed are an international larder for migrating birds. He made comparisons between the large barrage, lagoons and a tidal reef which would be kinder to animal and bird life and cost considerably less.



Neil Crumpton, of Friends of the Earth, spoke of the need for the correct use of the Severn Estuary and the protection of its wild life; that there must be consideration of energy security and climate protection. He stressed that use should be made of both ebb and flo tides and any system should us both. He demonstrated the use of huge geotextile tubes which could be filled with silt dredged up from the river, andused if lagoons were to be agreed. He was also adamant that the wild life must be protected and a balance sought which would produce affordable energy, but would not destroy the wild-life.

Dr Tom Shaw, who spoke at the seminar arranged by NCW in 1990, is an engineering consultant with special experience in water engineering and hydro-electric projects. He spoke of possible different barrage projects for the region and said that the very first time that a tidal barrage was considered was in 1849, giving a brief summary of developments since then, giving considerable interesting information on the area. He also compared the existing systems in France and Belgium with possible barrage building in this country and pointed out that there were considerable differences in the locations. 

At the end of these presentations there were many questions and much discussion as differing opinions on the facts were given. It was a well attended and most interesting seminar, much enjoyed by all who attended from all over the Region. It was noted that there were yet many years of consultation before the best option could be recognised and accepted; thereafter would follow many years of construction.

The seminar concluded with an excellent vote of thanks to all the speakers by Maureen Beauchamp, after which our President thanked the Region most warmly for arranging a seminar on such a controversial subject, covered by exceptional speakers, which she felt had been very informative.

A full report is being prepared and will be available as soon as possible.

Enquiries about the DECC Phase One Consultation may be obtained by sending an e-mail to <stp-consultation@berr.gsi.gov.uk> and from the DECC web site: http://severntidalpowerconsultation.decc.gv.uk


LOIS HAINSWORTH 
Chairman, South West and Midland Region, NCW