Build Severn barrage and stop pandering to bird lovers, says MP
An MP has urged the Government to stop pandering to bird lovers and make a decision on the proposed Servern barrage at Weston-super-Mare.
The £15-billion scheme could produce six per cent of Britain's energy needs by harnessing tidal flows to produce electricity.
Bridgwater Tory MP Ian Liddle-Grainger said in a debate at Westminster that ministers favoured the barrage scheme but were afraid of upsetting bird lovers who claim it would destroy wetlands that provide a sanctuary for birds on their migration routes.
He attacked the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) for spending money lobbying for an alternative, although the charity later rejected the claim.
During a debate in Westminster Hall, the Commons' second chamber, Mr Liddle-Grainger pleaded with the Government to make a decision and "to hell with the RSPB".
He said the RSPB was so sure of itself, it was undertaking "high powered and very expensive lobbying". He said: "The RSPB is backing the idea of a lagoon as though it was the Holy Grail.
"The RSPB paid for this impressive report by a British engineering giant, WS Atkins.
"Atkins handles all forms of government contracts, it takes care of the roads in Somerset for instance.
"It'll write a report for anybody providing you foot the bill.
"Atkins, guess what, now favours lagoons.
"The gossip is that ministers favour the big 10-mile barrage but don't want to upset the bird lovers by saying so. Britain is used to innovation. We are a country of innovation. Brunel left his mark on my part of the country because he took risks.
"The time for shilly-shallying is over.
"Please make a decision, build a barrage, to hell with the RSPB.
"I suspect that no one really wants to be responsible for making a decision on this."
Last month the Government announced a short list of five ways to harness power in the estuary – two small-scale barrages, two lagoons and the 10-mile barrage between Weston and Cardiff.
An RSPB spokesman said the charity had not paid for any lobbying beyond what it paid its own staff and insisted Mr Liddle-Grainger was wrong to say it supported tidal lagoons.
He added: "We are encouraged by the potential of some of the more innovative schemes like the tidal reef because they are trying to take account of the environmental impact at the outset.
"The report assessing the tidal reef cost £2,000. It suggested it would deliver more clean energy than the barrage at a lower cost.
"We want the Government to find a solution that gets the most clean energy for the least environmental damage at the lowest cost to the tax payer."
A spokesman for WS Atkins said: "We actually helped assess a number of options for different clients, so it is untrue to say we favour any particular one.
"We work for clients in both the public and private sectors, who come to us because the conclusions we reach are based entirely on the highest standards of independent professional expertise."
Environment Minister Joan Ruddock insisted the Government was "very keen to move ahead as fast as is reasonable".
5 Comments
by David Bale, Bristol
Thursday, February 05 2009, 3:47PM
“As your report showed, Mr Liddle-Grainger is clearly not in possession of the relevant facts and figures.
The RSPB and all other environmental charities are aware that climate change poses the most significant threat to biodiversity the world has ever seen. Therefore, why would these charities be against the barrage? Beacuse they want "the Government to find a solution that gets the most clean energy for the least environmental damage at the lowest cost to the tax payer." Surely, thats in everyone interests as well as the thousands of birds and other wildlife that utilises the estuary.
Therefore, we should really be asking if an out of touch, ill informed person, intend on waste taxpayers money on schemes that will damage some of the UK 's most treasured wild places, is fit to represent anyone.”
by Alfred, Bristol
Thursday, February 05 2009, 1:40PM
“Stop the Severn Barrage 10,000 years of natural habitat; 240,000 Severn Bore's with two more every month and a Severn Reef is a perfectly good idea.”
by Brunel, Bristol
Thursday, February 05 2009, 11:40AM
“From the grave I write this to my fellow followers, innovation is about making use of the changing technologies of the present day and foreseeing new ideas. To build a barrage is old practice, it's been done, boring.
Now a reef is something unique... work with this, support each other and embrace large financiers who want to see change.
The decisions you make today will reflect on Britain's place in the world tomorrow.
Work with me, study my ideas and utilise the the forums of the internet to build innovation communities.
I was good because I worked with the best, I was inventive because I listened to the worst, I achieved because I never gave up hope.”
by Jenny, Bristol
Thursday, February 05 2009, 9:17AM
“Oh dear Richard I fear that what you have said is not allowed on these comments! You are not able to have facts about what you are talking about, or show care for your community I expect you will now be attacked and be called selfish and a NIMBY. But yes you are right lets get the information right that we are basing our opinions on and think how it will affect everyone all community's and the environment.
Good for you Richard.”
by Richard, Bristol
Wednesday, February 04 2009, 11:49PM
“This man sounds like a real academic, I'd love for him to be my MP. Joke!
Why is this even being discussed when a tidal reef will work 75% as efficient at 30% of the cost.
This man needs to focus on his own house keeping, maybe we'll plan for it in his back yard?”