Energy and Climate Change CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo (SEV50)

I wanted to contribute to this inquiry as one of the MPs representing the Bristol area because of the potential impacts of a Severn Barrage on the city of Bristol and the surrounding area.

I believe the River Severn offers huge potential to provide renewable energy which is much needed as we move towards becoming a low carbon economy and I am in favour of establishing a scheme (or schemes) which harnesses this valuable tidal power and contributes to the UK’s future energy security.

The environmental impact of any such tidal power scheme is of course very significant, and every effort must be made to minimise potential damage to wildlife. I appreciate this will not be easy, but very careful consideration must be given to the type of scheme progressed and its likely consequences for the natural environment of the River Severn, including any measures which can be put in place to mitigate likely harm.

While I recognise that the development of a Severn tidal power project would create many new jobs in our region, which I would welcome, I have been very concerned by reports which indicate that a Cardiff-Weston Barrage would have a damaging impact on the operation of Bristol Port, with associated job losses (as referred to in the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study Report published in October 2010).

Bristol Port is hugely important for the local economy and wider West of England region and I have yet to be convinced that a shore-to-shore barrage between Cardiff and Weston-Super-Mare will not seriously harm trade at Bristol Port due in large part to the fact that port traffic would be required to navigate locks, causing delays which could seriously harm the competitiveness of the Port. I have serious concerns about any project which is likely to threaten Bristol Port’s viability, leading to significant loss of employment and resulting negative impact on the local and regional economy. I hope these considerations will be taken into account.

Despite my reservations about the current proposals for a Cardiff-Weston Barrage, I would welcome further research and analysis into Severn tidal power options with a view to taking a project (or projects) forward in the near future.

November 2012