The Severn Barrage – what are the pros and cons?

The idea of a tidal barrage across the Severn estuary between England and Wales has been around for a long time, but it is being considered more seriously due to climate change and high energy prices.

In 2007, the Sustainable Development Commission gave it’s backing for a barrage:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7021835.stm

Here area some details of the plan from 2008:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7449284.stm

The idea has detractors for environmental and economic reasons:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7448973.stm

At the beginning of 2009, a shortlist of possible plans had been drawn up:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7850609.stm

Environmental opinion was still divided:

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/the-great-divide-green-dilemma-over-plans-for-severn-barrage-1516790.html