Severn Barrage "would destroy port jobs"
BRISTOL Ports Company has urged MPs to reject plans for a Severn Barrage, saying it would "destroy" jobs while causing "unprecedented" environmental damage.
Giving evidence to the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee at Westminster, the company's chief executive, Simon Bird, voiced strong opposition to the barrage campaign led by former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain.
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Simon Bird
Mr Bird told MPs: "I'm in favour of harnessing the power of the Severn to create energy but building a giant concrete barrage across the estuary makes no sense.
"It is time the Government clearly stated that the barrage will not be built and got behind the alternative technologies."
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Mr Bird said more than 7,500 jobs that depend on the port would be at risk if the barrage went ahead.
His comments came as North Somerset MP Dr Liam Fox attacked Mr Hain's proposals in an angry letter to a national newspaper.
He said plans by the scheme's backers to replicate 50 square kilometres of mud flats were "pure fantasy", fish-friendly turbines were "hypothetical" and the claim a barrage could alleviate flooding in North Somerset had made him angry.
Dr Fox added: "At a time when we need to be protecting jobs and assisting businesses that create economic activity, it is frustrating that we are causing uncertainty for Bristol Port and the many businesses in my constituency that depend on it.
"There are many options for harnessing tidal energy in the Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel…but we cannot keep wasting public money on nothing more than a hypothesis, especially when it also comes at the cost of business growth and job creation in North Somerset, Bristol and elsewhere."
The port company claims it would be threatened with closure if the barrage was built, as the large ships which dock there would not have deep water often enough to make the business viable.
But giving his own evidence to MPs, Mr Hain said he could not understand why there was such strong opposition from the Bristol area.
He said: "Shipping will be unaffected and there will be positive opportunities for Bristol. It's not helpful to frame this in terms of Bristol ports versus Port Talbot ports – we need to get the maximum benefit for both."
"There's a win-win here for both Bristol and Port Talbot.
"I would urge people to get involved in a proper discussion rather than firing shots from the sidelines, which I don't think is in the interests of the BPC."
Comments
by tomcribb
Friday, January 11 2013, 2:22PM
“The Welsh will get their own way as usual.”
by gary_hopkins
Friday, January 11 2013, 1:14PM
“Matic 113
I appreciate that you are not posting in favour of Hain but the last thing we need is him being encouraged to do more work on his scheme.
It is fundamentally wrong because it has at it's heart a blockage and solid barrage.
There are several other technologies that can coexist with each other that can harness the huge tidal flow but whilst the barrage concept is still alive their refinement and deployment are seriously hampered or even killed.
The same situation exists with regard to the port.It is not just the existing trade that could be damaged but the huge investment in major expansion. There are a limited number of places for expansion of large deepwater trade around the UK and Bristol has geographical advantages over most of them.With the hain proposal around investors will look elsewhere.”
by EVPOCO
Friday, January 11 2013, 12:21PM
“Peter Hain is trying to resuscitate the discredited Cardiff-Weston Barrage proposal by adopting just one feature of the 'Severn Tidal REEF Proposal' that has won much support from environmental groups. Bristol Ports should not be worried about conflicts with the REEF or any loss of jobs. The REEF takes as its starting point, the protection of wildlife, migratory fish and the easy passage of large container ships to Avonmouth.
If Coran Halren, along with Atkins and Rolls Royce are wanting to copy my proposals, may I suggest they read it fully and copy it completely, otherwise there are bound to be serious conflicts. Furthermore, I have suggested that it is not morally right to 'sell off' a chunk of the UK to foreign investors and electricity generators, but that it would be far better to launch a 'National Green Generation Bond' so that ordinary people can invest and benefit from a legacy project that we could all be proud of.”
by matic_113
Friday, January 11 2013, 11:49AM
“One thing is for sure that a huge amount of energy can be harnessed here and do nothing situation is a huge opportunity missed. We need universities, business and individuals to clearly layout our options so we can make the right decision weighing energy generation against negative effects. There will certainly be downsides to this but getting rid of the need for 5 nuclear power plants and having greater energy security is a huge deal. The knowledge we would learn in the creation would also make us world leaders at tidal technology.
Hain needs to do a lot more work to sell this idea.”
by Shas_J
Friday, January 11 2013, 10:24AM
“Yes jobs would be created by building the barrage but those are only short term jobs. Jobs at the port are long term and also help Bristol with additional international business. Therefore, I'm with Bristol Ports on this one.”
by Stagnate
Friday, January 11 2013, 10:20AM
“Of the many objections to the proposed barrage the one from Simon Bird is the most tongue in cheek.
It has nothing to do with loss of jobs at the ports or the fact that water levels could be lower or even the fact that ships will have to wait for the locks. It all has to do with money and the fact that shipping companies will have to pay for passage through the locks and that will add to the cost of coming into and leaving Bristol docks.
The cost to the shipping companies would be minimal compared to the overall cost of operating the ships.
The other cost aspect is that of dredging. Ships already have to keep to prescribed channels for fear of running aground and, with the barrage in place, the problems of silting up could only escalate so the port authority would have to dredge much of the enclosed area above the barrage.
The dredging could start in earnest as the barrage is being built so that the dredged silt could be used in the construction as has been done in several overseas projects.
As to the other objections.
Wildlife will adapt, it has been doing so for thousands of years as man has encroached on its' habitats, it will again.
And, for the record I'll repeat my plea to have an airport built on the barrage and for road and rail links to be included to both sides of the channel. Pie in the sky, as I fear the barrage will be, but ......”
by gary_hopkins
Friday, January 11 2013, 9:25AM
“This is one of the most important issues in Bristol and surrounding area.Hain's mad scheme should not just be stopped but we need active statements from government to not only back our port but to back the alternative technologies that can generate huge amounts of sustainable energy without destroying the environment.
Many of these are also "Bristol" based.
The local enterprise partnership ,representing the 4 local councils and business, sent of a strong letter to government before the Mayoral election.
Opinions vary as to whether the concept of an elected Mayor is right but if there is one issue where a strong voice is needed pushing government in the right direction this is it.
The issue was highlighted in the election camapaign by some of us but it is very surprising that I am having to support Liam Fox(not a position I often find myself in) rather than a silent Mayor of bristol.”
by shabz0406
Friday, January 11 2013, 9:10AM
“BRISTOL Ports Company has urged MPs to reject plans for a Severn Barrage, saying it would "destroy" jobs while causing "unprecedented" environmental damage...
Surely it would create jobs as im guessing alot of people would be needed to build a barrage?! If shipping will be unaffected then why does Mr.Bird have an issue? He talks about harvesting energy but i think the main reason of the barrage is to prevent flooding when the sea levels rise... which they will! The bristol area would be drastically affected if something wasnt put in place to protect the city.
Sooo jobs being 'destroyed' or our whole city becoming a swamp... i think i know what id be more worried about!”