What about this Grand Notion of a Severn tidal barrier ?

Question

Seems fine, but no-one has explained the navigational issues.

A lot of commercial and pleasure craft need to ne up and down stream every day.

How can you get all that marine traffic through a barrier ?

Just wondering. Any clues ?

Bob

Answer 1

If as much thought goes into it that went into the bridge ,every one will say  wow! great structure ! then see it shut most of the year.On the navigational issue one of the ministers concerned was on radio today and only spoke of the wildlife issues .It came across as thats the only thing they are interested in getting through at the moment because of greenpeace and similair who have a lot of strength [good job they are there]

Answer 2

I think it would to keep all that mud from coming in on our local beach.....................

Answer 3

Navigating boats and ships up and down is simplicity itself.  It will mean going through a lock up and down which means waiting, maybe a fee, yachts having to down sails to pass through.  I would guess they plan for one or more ship locks and one or more small craft locks.  Of course, once you're upstream of the barrier you will have much less current to worry about but they may have to dredge channels as silting will be an ever present threat.  As a means to generate electricity it is a long overdue project. It definitely will change the ecosystem upstream and downstream but as always there are pros and cons.  The upper estuary as we know it now will become a huge lake with some tidal movement but much less than now, the severn bore will no longer happen.