news story

6th August 2008

New Severn Tidal Power Inquiry Launched

Local MP Steve Webb (fourth from left) along with visiting MPs, Welsh Assembly members and councillors at the Severn Beach meeting of the new Lib Dem inquiry group

A group of Lib Dem MPs, peers, councillors and Welsh Assembly members have joined forces to set up a new investigation into the potential for generating electricity from the River Severn.

The group has been meeting informally over the last few months and recently decided to establish a formal inquiry into the different options for Severn Tidal Power. The new inquiry has been set up because of concerns that the Government may have already made its mind up about the idea of a Severn Barrage and may be using its own feasibility study to justify a decision that has already been made. The Lib Dem group are particularly concerned to ensure that the full impact of any scheme on the local environment is taken into account.

The Lib Dem Severn Tidal Power Inquiry will be co-chaired by Northavon MP Steve Webb, who is also the party's spokesman on environment and energy issues, and Welsh Assembly member Mike German. Other members of the group include MPs such as Stephen Williams (Bristol West), Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central) and David Heath (Somerton and Frome) and councillors from around the estuary including Cllr Peter Tyzack from Pilning & Severn Beach.

Meetings have already taken place in Chepstow and at Severn Beach, and evidence sessions are planned later in the year in Cardiff and in Portishead. The aim of the group will be to reach an agreed position by next Summer so that the Liberal Democrats can campaign for an environmentally sustainable scheme to be implemented.

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

"The overwhelming view of the local residents who have contacted me is that we must get on with harnessing the tidal power of the Severn. But it must also be possible to do that in a way that does not cause irrevocable damage to the Estuary.

"Our new inquiry will take evidence from proponents of all the main schemes, such as barrages, lagoons and reefs, as well as from environmental campaigners. We will seek to identify the scheme that does most to generate renewable energy in an environmentally sensitive way".