The Bristol Channel Barrage Project

Abstract

The paper outlines a proposal to barrage the Bristol channel between Cardiff and Weston-supermare. The benefits from energy generation and to road communications are assessed in detail and m monetary terms. Benefits to navigation and drainage are discussed but not assessed. The effect of the barrage on tidal range, siltation and sediment movement is considered and a suggestion, previously made by others, for a larger international airport on land reclaimed from the enclosed area, is developed. Cost estimates for the proposal are made and it is shown that the benefit/cost ratio is greater than unity even when only energy and traffic are considered.