Friends of the Earth have argued that the proposed Severn Barrage would be against European law because of the environmental damage it would cause.

The group are campaigning against the project and have highlighted the Severn Estuary’s status as a ‘protected area’ to suggest that it would break international law.

FOE’s Regional Campaigns Co-ordinator, Mike Birkin, said: “The Severn is a very important environment in its own right, unique in Europe and qualifying many times over for protection in international law.

“The barrage would cause severe and permanent damage to this environment and it is hard to see how it could be built without contravening European law,” Birkin added.

FOE believe that the study must look into different methods which could be used to achieve the UK’s renewable targets for energy instead of the proposed barrage.

Alternatives

“We are encouraging the Government and others to examine all the potential ways of generating tidal power from the Severn, including for example tidal lagoons, as we believe that alternatives to the barrage could offer better ways of harnessing the energy of the tides at lower cost and less environmental damage,” said Birkin.

The British Wind Energy Association is enthusiastic about the barrage and believe that the scheme is an opportunity to generate vast energy resources that must not be dismissed.

Charles Anglin of the British Wind Energy Association, said: "We're talking about eight Gw of power."

"It would be a huge chance to move away from traditional forms of energy and most groups understand that you risk doing far more damage to the environment in the longer term if you do not invest in ways to cut carbon emissions," added Anglin.

 

 

Friends of the Earth's South Gloucestershire representative Stuart Shales believes that the Severn Barrage would have negative environmental effects and should not go ahead.

 

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