Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) proposals for constructing a tidal barrage between Cardiff and Weston-super-Mare, and (2) the number of people living further up the estuary who would be protected from sea flooding.

The Government undertook a detailed review onto the strategic value of a tidal barrage in the Severn which reported in 2010. Due to the significant costs, environmental and economic impacts, the study concluded that there was no strategic case for a publicly-funded Severn Tidal barrage.

The Government remains open to considering well-developed proposals for harnessing the tidal range energy around our coastlines.

The Government has included revised guidance on tidal energy in the energy National Policy Statements which have recently been published for consultation. To be granted planning consent, any project would need to ensure environmental impacts are sufficiently mitigated.