Misplaced Pages

#493506

102-419: There have been numerous proposed projects over the years, initially to provide a safe harbour and more recently to generate electricity. In 1849 Thomas Fulljames , a civil engineer and the county surveyor for Gloucestershire proposed a barrage from Beachley to Aust (now the site of the first Severn Bridge ), a span of just over 1 mile (1.6 km). Since this was before commercial electricity production,

204-496: A boost to the local economy – construction industry in the short term, tourism and infrastructure in the long term. However, shipping would have to navigate locks and the reduced depth of water would prevent much existing shipping from being able to access docks in Wales and Bristol putting thousands of jobs at risk. Other existing estuary industries, including fisheries, would be damaged and jobs lost. All industrial discharges into

306-414: A height of 149 metres (489 ft) above the river bed or 101 metres (331 ft) above the bridge deck. Cable vibrations were experienced during construction and secondary cables were added to eliminate this. To avoid detracting from the aesthetics of the primary cables, the secondary cables are very slender and are not very noticeable. During the summer of 1994 the bridge deck launching gantry fell onto

408-534: A high Spring tide. This blocks light-penetration and means that the Severn Estuary marine environment is actually a relative desert , in terms of both plant and fish life. The zone of maximum turbidity is confined to the inner Severn and does not extend westwards into the Bristol Channel. An estimated 6.4 million tonnes/year of sand moves up and down the Bristol Channel which would be blocked by

510-448: A national opinion poll and a series of local and regional workshops. The SDC gave its support to the building of a Severn barrage, providing a number of strict conditions were met. These include: The SDC also raised the challenge of viewing the requirement for compensatory habitat as an "environmental opportunity", through the potential to combine a climate change mitigation project with the adaptation that will be required to respond to

612-487: A new bridge be built downstream from the existing bridge. In 1988, it was announced that tenders would be invited from private consortia to fund, build and operate the bridge for a specified period. The consortium would also take over the management of the old bridge and the associated £100 million debt. Tenders were invited in 1989; and in 1990 the concession to build the bridge was awarded to Severn River Crossing plc. Construction work started on 26 April 1992 and

714-691: A number of industry and academic groups. This would attempt to maximise the potential power generated whilst allowing for shipping to reach Cardiff and Bristol without hindrance (through gaps at least 650 m wide) and wildlife to maintain their existing habitats. The group has now been contracted by the UK government to investigate the idea under the Severn Embryonic Technology Scheme (SETS). The group estimates that it would cost £3.5bn to construct an outer fence from Aberthaw to Minehead which would generate 1.3GW or 3.5TWh/year. It

816-418: A proposal to generate 800  Megawatt (MW) of electricity at English Stones and although considered technically possible, it was prevented on economic grounds (then costing £25 million). The viability was tested a few years later in 1931 when Paul Shishkoff, a Russian immigrant, demonstrated a 300 horsepower (220 kW) prototype tidal generator at Avonmouth . It included a novel mechanism for spreading

918-508: A public consultation was launched on 26 January 2009. The consultation covered a proposed short-list of potential tidal power project options from an initial list of 10 schemes, processes that were undertaken during shortlisting and the proposed scope of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The SEA is a formal environmental assessment of plans or programmes which are likely to have significant effects on

1020-543: A report looking at the potential of tidal power in the UK, including proposals for a Severn barrage. The report draws on a series of five evidence-based reports, one of which summarises all the available evidence from previous studies on a number of Severn barrage options, but focusing on the Cardiff-Weston and the Shoots schemes. The SDC also commissioned a programme of public and stakeholder engagement, which included

1122-747: A result of the Court of Probate Act 1857 which removed probate proceedings from the ecclesiastical to the civil courts. Around 1860 he built Foscombe , a country house in the Gothic Revival style in Ashleworth for his own use. It is now a grade II* listed building. Plans relating to the Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary and Second County Asylum are held by Gloucestershire Archives . In 1840, Fulljames married Catherine Kirkes at Lancaster. This led to him designing

SECTION 10

#1732782388494

1224-577: A three-tier pricing system: Tolls could be paid by cash, major credit or debit cards, or by use of the Severn TAG system, which was a wireless electronic toll collection system that did not require vehicles to stop. Motorcycles and UK disabled badge holders travelling in a vehicle were exempted from paying a toll. Toll prices were reviewed annually on 1 January, in accordance with the Severn Bridges Act 1992. In late 2008, UK VAT

1326-461: A tidal barrage; the potential environmental consequences of interrupting this flux of sand include local coastal erosion and loss of coastal habitats. The barrage will not create a " lagoon "—as both opponents and supporters have sometimes claimed. Tidal power stations by definition require that the tide flows through the barrage, but the tidal range in the Severn would be halved. There are claims that

1428-405: A tidal fence proposal, but since dismissed it as unworkable. The reef reduces environmental impact by working with a much smaller "head" of water—just 2 metres (6.6 ft)—thereby reducing the impact of the structure on the estuary water and flow. The smaller head means that the water velocity is much lower and more lower power turbines are required. The load factor will be higher, partly because of

1530-448: Is again being considered and an independent commission was started to research this. If successful, it is claimed that the barrage could supply 7% of total UK energy needs. The Severn Barrage plans would provide a predictable source of sustainable energy during lifetime of the scheme, with claims of up to 5% of the UK's electricity output from the 10-mile version. This could reduce the cost of meeting UK's renewable energy targets, and help

1632-440: Is also investigating an inner fence from Lavernock Point to Brean Down including Flat Holm and Steep Holm islands. Both fences could possibly be built. The fence would permit the migration of salmon and would only slightly affect the mudflats used by migrating birds. In addition it could significantly reduce the flood risk in the Severn estuary. Thomas Fulljames Thomas Fulljames FRIBA (4 March 1808 – 24 April 1874)

1734-456: Is now more viable. Consequently, there have been renewed calls for these plans to be re-appraised. Evans Engineering have released plans for what they call a Severn Tidal "Reef". This is a novel structure which aims to overcome the environmental side-effects of a barrage, and can be conceptualised as being half-way between a barrage and a tidal "fence" (a linked string of tidal-stream turbines). The designer, Rupert Evans, had previously worked on

1836-424: Is predictable, peaks in generation from the barrage do not necessarily coincide with peaks in demand. There are two major tidal cycles affecting power output: Just under eight hours per day of generation time is expected. Estimated costs for existing plans could be as low as £10bn and as high as £34bn. Recent studies have suggested that the smaller short-listed options could be privately financed, and so in effect

1938-630: The Apollo and Space Shuttle at Cape Kennedy ) onto a barge (the SAR3), prior to being floated out on the high tide to the site. The 37 bridge pier foundations on the approach viaducts are 98.11 metres (321.9 ft) apart, and consist of open concrete caissons weighing up to 2,000 tonnes, which were founded on the rock of the estuary bed. The decking consists of 3.6-metre (11.8 ft) post-stressed match cast sections, weighing 200 tonnes (200 long tons; 220 short tons) each. The cable-stayed section of

2040-520: The Church of St Mary & Corpus Christi , Down Hatherley (1859–60). After Frederick William Waller became a partner in 1868 the firm was renamed Waller & Son . In 1849, Fulljames proposed a barrage across the River Severn from Beachley to Aust (now the site of the first Severn Bridge ), a span of just over 1 mile (1.6 km). Since this was before commercial electricity production,

2142-580: The Secretary of State for Transport , had been collected. At that point, responsibility for operating the bridge passed to National Highways . On 6 February 2009, the bridge was closed due to bad weather for the first time since its opening, after a number of vehicles were hit by falling ice. Bad weather, and again falling ice, repeated this in December 2009. Temporary speed limits are put in place due to high winds or thick fog, with drivers informed by

SECTION 20

#1732782388494

2244-476: The Secretary of State for Wales , Alun Cairns , announced that the crossing would be renamed as the Prince of Wales Bridge at a ceremony later in the year. He said that the renaming would be "a fitting tribute to His Royal Highness in a year that sees him mark 60 years as The Prince of Wales and decades of continued, dedicated service to our nation". An online petition, heavily shared via social media, against

2346-529: The Severn Bridge . The bridge was built at a cost of £330 million (excluding VAT) and was owned by the company Severn River Crossing Plc. As of November 2010 , Severn River Crossing Plc was owned The company's 2011 annual report showed the same companies still owned, through subsidiary companies, all the issued ordinary share capital of the Plc. In 2012, changes were made to the agreement to reflect

2448-581: The Welsh Secretary , Alun Cairns , announced that tolls would be scrapped at the end of 2018, claiming that this would boost the South Wales economy by around £100m a year. In September 2017, Cairns confirmed that tolls would be reduced in January 2018 as VAT is removed. As announced on 2 October 2018, tolls were abolished on 17 December 2018. The toll levied was always identical to that on

2550-495: The environmental effects of the barrage still need more analysis before final conclusions can be drawn. The Sustainable Development Commission is investigating UK tidal resources, including tidal power in the Severn Estuary and its environmental impact, and should report mid-2007. Friends of the Earth support the idea of tidal power, but oppose barrages because of the environmental impact. They have proposed their own plans based on

2652-441: The ringed plover , redshank and whimbrel , while the curlew , dunlin and grey plover winter in the area. The birds feed on ragworm , lugworm and other invertebrates. Saltmarsh is found along the fringes of the coast. Beds of eelgrass occur on the more sheltered mud- and sandbanks. In 1976, in recognition of the importance of the estuary as a wetland used by migrating birds, an area of 247 km (95 sq mi)

2754-485: The tax -payer but any support mechanism for the tidal power would be likely to fall on consumers . There would, though, be secondary knock-on costs from the tidal power project that might be met by the tax-payer, such as modifying existing ports , provision of compensatory habitat and dealing with environmental change. However, these would be offset by the positive knock-on effects, such as flood protection – which would have otherwise also cost tax-payer money. Whether

2856-547: The 1981 Bondi Committee report, rejected on the grounds of both economics and environmental damage. Studies suggested that tidal currents around and between the lagoons would become extremely fierce and damaging. Another possibility is to construct one or more tidal fences across the Severn estuary which would generate power using tidal stream generators . This has been put forward by the Severn Tidal Fence Consortium , and groups including IT Power and

2958-404: The 1981 plans were the best location for a barrage, but calculated that the power output could be larger, at 8,640 MW during flow, or 2,000 MW average power. This would provide 17 TWh of power per year (about 6% of UK consumption), equivalent to about 18 million tons of coal or 3 nuclear reactors . The cost in 1989 was calculated to be about £8 billion (£12 billion in 2006 money—about

3060-674: The Custom House Arcade at Liverpool. At first they lived at Maisemore , Gloucestershire but from 1847 to 1863, he was living with his wife at Hasfield Court in Gloucestershire and was described as an "Architect & Landed Proprietor" in the 1851 census . Three relatives were living with them and the family employed seven servants. In the 1861 census, they were described as employing six servants. Fulljames died on 24 April 1874 at Foscombe in Ashleworth. His will

3162-587: The English side. It has three principal sections – a 25 span viaduct on the English side of length 2,103 m (6,900 ft; 1.307 mi), a 24 span viaduct of length 2,077 m (6,814 ft; 1.291 mi) on the Welsh side and the bridge itself, a 948 m (3,110 ft; 0.589 mi) structure with a 37 m (121 ft) navigational clearance, giving a total length of 5,128 m (16,824 ft; 3.186 mi). The central section, called

Severn Barrage - Misplaced Pages Continue

3264-575: The Gothic style. He also designed a barrage across the River Severn, which was never built. He built Foscombe house for his own use in Ashleworth , Gloucestershire, which has been classified as a grade II* heritage building. Thomas Fulljames was born in Walworth , Surrey , now in Greater London, on 4 March 1808, to Trophimus Fulljames (died 1864), a land surveyor, and Margaret Fulljames. He

3366-643: The Gwent viaduct, causing the 200-tonne (200-long-ton; 220-short-ton) bridge deck unit to fall onto the deck below. Although this delayed the project by ten weeks, the builders still completed the bridge on schedule two years later. The crossing passes over mudflats in the Severn Estuary with part of the eastern approach viaduct sited on the English Stones , a rocky outcrop uncovered at low tide. The estuary wetlands are home to migrating birds such as

3468-501: The River Severn (e.g. from Avonmouth) would have to be reassessed. The Severn Estuary is a Special Area of Conservation due to the European importance of its ecology. The inter-tidal area provides food for over 85,000 migratory and wintering water birds, and represents 7% of the UK's total estuaries. There are nature reserves and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the islands of Flat Holm and Steep Holm . The Barrage

3570-531: The STPG proposal, Hooker generates only on the ebb tide. Construction time would be four years. It would be built of rock fill embankment at the coastal sides (more like the proposals for "Tidal Lagoons"), but like the STPG would be sluice caissons and turbines with powerhouse in the middle section. In April 2009 the Liberal Democrats produced a report called "A Tidal Solution—The Way Forward" that backed

3672-633: The Secretary of State's Advisory Council on Research and Development for Fuel and Power. Despite the ongoing oil crisis , the council established that a barrage could not be economically viable unless the energy situation deteriorated significantly. After just such a deterioration (due to the Iranian Revolution and 1979 energy crisis ) the plans were reinvestigated by the Severn Barrage Committee in 1981. This committee

3774-563: The Severn Bridge is a suspension bridge . The position of the bridge is close to that of the Severn Tunnel , which has carried the railway line beneath the river bed since 1886. Much of the estuary is mudflats at low tide, but at high tide these can be covered by as much as 14 metres (46 ft) of water. This presented the engineers with a constraint: packets of work were scheduled at low tide, and needed to be completed within

3876-713: The Severn, for example the Mersey and Duddon . However the Hafren Power plan collapsed after it was rejected by three independent committees of MPs and by the Government. On 14 January 2014 it was announced that the chairman and Chief Executive of Hafren Power had resigned, putting an end to the Severn Barrage project. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine drew attention to uncertainty about energy supply and uncertainty over external energy costs. A Severn barrage

3978-709: The Shoots Barrage along with a number of additional measures for power generation in the Severn Estuary. In September 2009 the report was adopted by the Lib Dem party conference as official party policy. The £4.2 million study by Severn Tidal Power Group (STPG) built on the work of the Severn Barrage Committee, but also examined other possible barrages, and produced another major energy paper. Its members comprised Sir Robert McAlpine , Balfour Beatty , Taylor Woodrow and Alstom . They concluded that

4080-506: The Shoots Bridge, is of cable-stayed design and the central span (between the bridge pylons) is 456 metres (1,496 ft) in length. The approach viaducts are of a segmental bridge design. The crossing forms a very slight reverse "S" curve – the roadway has an approximate east–west alignment at each of the portals, while the central bridge follows an alignment approximately WNW to ESE . The Severn Railway Tunnel passes under

4182-758: The UK to meet such targets, including those to tackle climate change. This is because of the few carbon emissions associated with the plan, because unlike conventional power generation, the Severn Barrage plans do not involve the combustion of fossil fuels . A consequence of this plan is that the carbon payback time—the time it takes for saved carbon emissions (those produced by generating the same amount of power in other ways) to outstrip those produced during construction— could be as little as four-and-a-half months, although likely to be around six. It could continue to operate for around 120 years, compared with 60 years for nuclear power plants. An additional benefit would be to improve energy security . However, although power supply

Severn Barrage - Misplaced Pages Continue

4284-432: The approach roads and toll plaza resulted in the permanent loss of some wet pastureland. Field surveys carried out in 2003 and 2004 reported that the bridge had little effect on the flight paths of the various birds – it was noted that when curlews, dunlins and lapwings approached the bridge, they would change course to gain height and fly over the bridge, but that oystercatchers and turnstones would fly under

4386-424: The barrage would be 120 years (about three times that of a nuclear reactor), but could easily be 200 years if decent maintenance was performed. The STPG appraisal concluded that the electricity generated from the barrage would make the scheme economically viable if given certain " green " advantages, and that the environmental impact was acceptable. Margaret Thatcher 's government did not accept this, and shelved

4488-471: The barrage, covering the vulnerable Severn estuary from storm surges from the sea but drainage from land upstream would be impeded causing worse flooding there. Also higher water levels downstream of the barrage could cause flooding on the Somerset Levels. New road and/or rail transport links could be built across a barrage if demand rises in the future, as outlined below. Any barrage could provide

4590-456: The birds and there would not be enough food for those that remained. The estuary is one of the UK's most important sites for water birds and its wildlife value must be taken fully into account." The present strong tidal currents in the estuary serve to lift up silt sediment and so keep the water thick with fine particles—around 30 million tonnes of suspended sediment move in the Estuary on

4692-794: The bridge was opened by Prince Charles (the future Charles III , then the Prince of Wales), on 5 June 1996. The chief architect of the bridge was Ronald Weeks of the Cardiff-based Percy Thomas Partnership , with the detailed engineering design by the Halcrow Group and the French consultancy SEEE  [ fr ] . The bridge has portals close to Sudbrook , Monmouthshire on the Welsh side and Severn Beach in South Gloucestershire on

4794-564: The bridge while the absence of other waders was attributed to the rocky nature of the foreshore. The consortium consisting of two civil engineering firms and two banks that funded and built the bridge had a 30-year concession to redeem its outlay from tolls collected from users of the bridge. At the end of the concession period in January 2018, the bridge passed into public ownership, and is now managed by National Highways . Tolls were collected from westbound traffic only, near Rogiet , 2 miles (3.2 km) in Wales. Tolls charges were based on

4896-449: The bridge. The surveys also showed that the bridge had minimal impact on the roosting habits of most birds, though a flock of mallards were seen to be roosting directly under the bridge, with many positioning themselves on the dry concrete base on one of the pillars. Likewise, it was noted that the bridge had little impact on the birds' feeding habits – turnstones and lapwings were recorded as feeding on mudflats directly under

4998-606: The cable pylons, for bridge maintenance . It can carry up to four passengers plus two tonnes of equipment in its trailer, with an integral crane and safety features such as interlocks , emergency battery propulsion capable of returning to either end of the crossing, and a dead man's switch . During the 1990s and early 2000s, the Rapid Access Train was initially disused for a number of years due to rail faults, but has subsequently been returned to service. Travelling access gantries are also present underneath each segment of

5100-407: The concept of tidal lagoons , whereby man-made lagoons in the estuary would fill and drain through turbines. Their proposals would include lagoons covering up to 60% of the area covered by the barrage, which in some smaller configurations would not impound water in the ecologically sensitive inter-tidal areas of the estuary. The lagoons could be sub-divided so power would be generated at more states of

5202-491: The consortium was required to hand the bridge over to public ownership. The tolls on both bridges were subsequently scrapped in December 2018. The Severn Estuary presented a barrier between the Bristol area and South Wales . The estuary has a maximum tidal range of 14.5 metres (48 ft), amongst the highest in the world, and during a rising or falling tide there are strong currents of up to 8 knots (4.1 m/s). Much of

SECTION 50

#1732782388494

5304-527: The construction costs at £60 million. By the time of the next study in 1953 the estimated cost had risen to £200 million. In 1971 a report by Dr Tom Shaw, a tidal Power expert and advocate proposed a barrage from Brean Down to Lavernock Point . The scheme was estimated to cost £500 million. In 1975 the Central Electricity Generating Board ( CEGB ), published a study with evidence from Bristol and Salford universities for

5406-411: The crossing is over 1,044.7 metres (3,427.5 ft) long, consisting of a 34.6-metre (113.5 ft) wide deck made from steel plate girders with a composite reinforced concrete slab. These were prefabricated on shore and put in place using balanced cantilever methods. There are two high twin-leg, reinforced and pre-stressed concrete pylons carrying 240 cables which support the bridge deck, rising to

5508-402: The crossing to allow for inspection and maintenance across the full width of the structure, with hydraulic lift platforms capable of reaching multiple levels. The crossing was built by a business consortium under a public-private partnership . A company called Severn River Crossing plc, led by John Laing plc and GTM-Entrepose, was formed to build the new crossing. This company also took over

5610-532: The effect of changes in VAT and Corporation Tax and the costs of installing credit card handling systems. The net effect was to increase the required revenue from £995.83 million to £1,028.91 million in 1989 prices. Ownership of the crossing and the original Severn Bridge returned to the UK government on 8 January 2018, when the project's required revenue, as defined in the Concession Agreement with

5712-414: The effects of climate change. A publicly led project would enable the use of a low discount rate (2%), which would result in a competitive cost of electricity, and would limit the economic impact of even a very large-scale compensatory habitats package. Electricity production costs are not competitive if a commercial discount rate is applied. A two-year feasibility study was announced in late 2007, and

5814-504: The electronic signs. Because of the more advanced aerodynamic design of the later bridge, the Second Crossing is far less prone to such restrictions caused by crosswinds than the first Severn Bridge. On 18 February 2022, both the Prince of Wales Bridge and the Severn Bridge were closed during Storm Eunice , due to high winds. It was the first time that the Prince of Wales Bridge had been closed because of winds. On 5 April 2018,

5916-533: The environment. A consortium led by Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) and Black & Veatch (B&V) has been appointed to manage this part of the project. The process is guided by a stakeholder steering group. The study will culminate in a full public consultation in 2010. In July 2009 the Government response to consultation confirmed detailed study would be carried out in the second phase on the five schemes that were proposed for short-listing in January. It also announced work to bring forward 3 further schemes that are in

6018-420: The estuary bed on a line which is generally about 500 metres (1,600 ft) upstream of the bridge, but which passes under the line of the bridge close to the English shore. The deck, which carries three lanes of traffic in each direction, is 34.6 metres (114 ft) wide. The sides of the bridge are fitted with 3-metre (10 ft) baffle plates to reduce lateral wind loads coming from the Severn Estuary onto

6120-471: The estuary is mud flats that are exposed at low tide; these have been designated a Special Protection Area . The central part of the estuary is a navigable channel which, at the site of the bridge, is known as "The Shoots". The bridge is upstream from Avonmouth and the Port of Bristol , but downstream from the Port of Sharpness . The Gloucester Harbour Trustees have responsibility for controlling navigation in

6222-547: The estuary's tidal waters upstream from the bridge. Until 1966, road travellers could either use the Aust Ferry , which had operated since medieval times (and as a car ferry since 1926), or use the scheduled car shuttle train service through the Severn Tunnel between Pilning and Severn Tunnel Junction , which operated from 1926 until 1966. Otherwise, the detour via Gloucester would add 57 miles (92 km) to

SECTION 60

#1732782388494

6324-602: The firm's former offices in College Green . [REDACTED] Media related to Thomas Fulljames at Wikimedia Commons Second Severn Crossing The Second Severn Crossing ( Welsh : Ail Groesfan Hafren ), officially named the Prince of Wales Bridge ( Welsh : Pont Tywysog Cymru ) since July 2018, is the M4 motorway bridge over the River Severn between England and Wales , opened in 1996 to supplement

6426-405: The first 30 years, and £20 per MWh thereafter. Other schemes have been costed at between £150 and £350 per MWh. Some say that a large-scale barrage would create leisure-friendly water conditions behind it but with around 10 m rise and fall this would still be one of the largest tidal ranges in the UK bringing with it significant danger to any leisure users. Flood protection would be provided by

6528-696: The first proposals were based on the desire for a large shipping harbour in the Severn Estuary, road and railway transport, and flood protection. Other projects by Fulljames in Gloucester include the Albion Hotel (1831) in Southgate Street , later known as Albion House; Norfolk Buildings (1836) in Bristol Road ; and the "picturesque Gothic" Gloucester Court of Probate (1858) on the corner of Pitt Street and Park Street, probably as

6630-471: The first proposals were based on the desire for a large shipping harbour in the Severn Estuary, road and railway transport, and flood protection. No action was taken on Fulljames's proposals and three quarters of a century later, in 1925, an official study group was commissioned. An awareness of the large tidal range of 14 metres (46 ft), second only to Bay of Fundy in Eastern Canada , led to

6732-505: The flow of the tides (the largest barrage considered could have produced double that power output). This set of plans was strongly built on a few years later by the Severn Tidal Power Group. In 1984 Wimpey Atkins proposed a smaller barrage at English Stones , in the hope of creating a smaller more economically viable project that would avoid the environmental impact of a large barrage. This Wimpey Atkins 1984 study

6834-565: The generation being both ebb and flow and the total energy output should (according to a recent report by W.S. Atkins commissioned by the RSPB ) be significantly greater than for the Cardiff-Weston Barrage, and is in part a result of siting the structure at the "outer" Minehead to Aberthaw line, which roughly doubles the volume of tidal water available. On 1 October 2007, the UK's Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) published

6936-498: The highest tidal range, it would develop a peak output of 1,050 MW, and 313 MW output on average throughout the year. The barrage would be located just below the Second Severn Crossing —i.e. above Cardiff and Bristol on the estuary—and so much smaller locks would be needed for upstream access to Sharpness and Gloucester docks as the large ports of Portbury and Avonmouth would be unaffected. Like

7038-443: The immediate damage from construction work and the effects of long-term pollution from a projected increase in car traffic. The construction process resulted in a temporary increase in turbidity of the Severn waters. Although eelgrass is reasonably tolerant to short-term high turbidity and consequent loss of light, the bed of eelgrass in the river was observed to decline considerably during the period of construction. The construction of

7140-440: The journey. In 1966, the first Severn road bridge , a four-lane suspension bridge , was opened, carrying the M4 motorway between England and South Wales. By 1984, traffic across the first Severn Bridge had tripled and it was projected that by the mid-1990s, the old bridge would be running at capacity. A study was commissioned into building either a second bridge or a tunnel. The consultants reported back in 1986, recommending that

7242-428: The matter of cost and risk becomes a private one between the building consortium and their banks. Schemes of the scale of Cardiff-Weston are likely to require significant Government involvement. If the banks feel that a smaller project is viable and decide to lend the money at an acceptable cost of finance then the projects will go ahead (subject to planning and other approvals). None of this cost would directly fall on

7344-466: The migration of fish would be hampered, but these are contested. The Severn bore would also be eliminated. Any barrage would be likely to stimulate coastal erosion in some areas, and create a negative visual impact upon the landscape (subjective, similar to wind turbines ). There would also be negative consequences of the huge amount of concrete (and other materials) needed, with the quarrying of stone likely to impact on other areas. DEFRA claims that

7446-522: The old Severn Bridge, one has to leave the M4 at junction 21 and join the M48 near Aust or at junction 23 near Magor . The new crossing carries more traffic than the Severn Bridge, which is still in use. It is wider than the Severn Bridge, having three lanes and a narrow hard shoulder each way, compared to the two lanes, cycle path and narrow footpath of the original crossing. It is a cable-stayed bridge , whereas

7548-557: The parties actually decided to exchange money for these knock-on effects would be a matter for Government negotiation. As a cost comparison, Hinkley Point C nuclear power station (also being built on the Severn Estuary) will cost £25bn, and deliver 3.2GW of power sold at £92.50 per megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated for the 35 years of the contract. The Hafren scheme proposers state they would require £25 billion capital investment, and power costs would be £160 per MWh for

7650-449: The plans. However, since then global warming has radically altered the public perception of environmental damage ; and soaring oil , gas and energy costs have made the economics of the barrage much more favourable. The advent of renewable energy discounts favours electricity generated from "green" sources; and in addition, much lower interest rates make the cost of loans much lower, and long-term financing of such massive projects

7752-652: The power output over 24 hours. The full barrage was estimated at £5 million at the time. In 1933 the Severn Barrage Committee Report (HMSO) from a committee chaired by Lord Brabazon recommended that an 800 MW barrage across the English Stones area would be the best option. The work was interrupted by World War II and then revived in 1945 when engineers predicted an output of 2.2 terawatt hours ( TWh ) per year. A further government study looked at barrage options in 1948 and estimated

7854-516: The renaming had received more than 30,000 signatures by 8 April. Some politicians criticised the proposed renaming and the lack of public consultation on it, but it was confirmed that the First Minister of Wales , Carwyn Jones , had raised no objection to the proposal. The bridge was formally renamed on 2 July 2018 where a plaque was unveiled by the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall , which

7956-447: The responsibility of managing and maintaining the old Severn Bridge crossing, as well as managing and maintaining the new crossing. The cost of constructing the new crossing was to be paid for by tolls collected from motorists using the two crossings. Work on the new crossing began in 1992. Completion was in 1996. Sub-assemblies for the bridge were constructed onshore and then shifted by a large tracked vehicle (similar to that used to move

8058-749: The same as six nuclear reactors, but different lifespan), and running costs would be £70 million per year (about the same as 1.5 nuclear reactors). The barrage would use existing technology as used in the Rance tidal barrage in France, the Annapolis Royal Generating Station in Canada and the Netherlands sea barrages. Power would be most efficiently generated only in the flow direction, and this effect on tidal range would mean that

8160-478: The short windows allowed by the tides. The concession given to the consortium which financed, built and operate the bridge required them to take over the outstanding debt on the original Severn Bridge and to operate the two bridges as a single entity. Tolls were set annually by the government based on the previous year's change in the Retail Price Index . On the expiry of the concession in January 2018,

8262-676: The terms of reference were announced on 22 January 2008, following the publication of the Turning the Tide report from the Sustainable Development Commission. This study builds upon past studies and focuses on a variety of tidal range technologies including barrages and lagoons, and innovative designs such as a tidal fence and a tidal reef in the Severn estuary. The study, initially led by John Hutton , Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform ,

8364-444: The tidal extent would be halved by losing the low tide rather than the high tide. That is, that the tide would only go out as far as the current tidal midpoint, but high tides would be unaffected (unless the barrage was deliberately closed to prevent flooding). The barrage would contain 216 turbines each generating 40 MW for the 8,640 MW total. Arrays of sluices would let the tide in and then close to force it out through

8466-404: The tide than a barrage, with lower peak output, giving economic advantages to set against the higher construction cost of longer barriers. This idea is based on a prototype now being proposed at Swansea bay . However leading figures in the construction industry are sceptical that the lagoons can be economic. A set of Tidal lagoons known as the "Russell Lagoon concept" were studied and dismissed by

8568-436: The traffic capacity of the Severn Bridge built in 1966. The bridge is operated by England's National Highways . It has a total length of 5,128 metres (16,824 ft). It is southwest of the Severn Bridge and because it is more closely in line with the rest of the M4, it reduces the length of the journey between England and Wales. The junctions at each end are designed for most traffic to use this crossing, and in order to use

8670-514: The traffic; this has reduced the number of times that speed restrictions have been needed. The overall design of the new crossing makes it more resistant to high winds than the old Severn Bridge. A small diesel-powered monorail , the Rapid Access Train , runs underneath the full length of the crossing at a top speed of 1.5 metres per second (3.4 mph; 5.4 km/h), and is used for safe access to ten stations, such as lifts inside

8772-409: The turbines after the tide has gone out some distance outside the barrage. This deliberate building of a head on the water builds pressure that makes the turbines more efficient. The barrage would contain a set of shipping locks , designed to handle the largest container vessels . Construction would take about eight years and would require 35,000 employees at peak build time. The minimum lifespan of

8874-401: The very early stages of development. In September 2010, The Observer reported that the government intended to rule out the possibility of public funding for a complete barrage, while recommending that further feasibility studies be carried out on smaller projects. On 18 October the government announced that the project was being abandoned. In December 2011 it was reported that the government

8976-614: Was an architect active in Gloucestershire , England, in the first half of the nineteenth century. As diocesan surveyor from 1832 until 1870, latterly in partnership with Frederick Sandham Waller, he designed, reconstructed or extended a number of churches in Gloucestershire. He is known for designing the former psychiatric asylum at Denbighshire (1842-1844) in Jacobean style and the Gloucester Court of Probate (1858) in

9078-466: Was appointed county surveyor in 1831. In 1838 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects . In 1846 the firm became Fulljames & Waller after he formed a partnership in that year with Frederick Sandham Waller (1822–1895) who had been articled to him in 1839. He also taught the architect James Piers St Aubyn . In 1847 the office moved to College Green. Fulljames

9180-492: Was baptised at Hasfield , Gloucestershire, on 15 September 1808. He had an older brother, also Trophimus, born around 1805. Fulljames studied with his uncle, the surveyor Thomas Fulljames (died 1847), who had established a practice in Gloucestershire by the 1790s, and from 1821 was apprenticed to the architect Thomas Rickman , a position arranged by Fulljames's uncle Thomas. He first practised in his own name from around 1830 when he opened an office at 1 Barton Street . He

9282-491: Was criticised because it did not tackle the issue of silting and in 1987 Arthur Hooker OBE (a former partner of WS Atkins ) in conjunction with Parsons Brinckerhoff prepared a revised barrage proposed at English Stones to better tackle this issue. Parsons Brinckerhoff further updated their earlier proposal in 2006 and current estimates for this barrage (now known as the "Shoots Barrage") would cost £1.4 to £1.8 billion to build, and generate 2.75 TWh of power per year. At

9384-493: Was designated a Ramsar site . In 1988, the Severn Estuary was designated a Special Protection Area . The same year an area of 99 km (38 sq mi) was notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and designated as such the following year; in 1995, this was extended to cover the whole of the Ramsar site. Prior to the bridge's construction, environmentalists raised numerous concerns and criticisms, chiefly about

9486-435: Was diocesan surveyor in Gloucestershire from 1832 until 1870, as Fulljames & Waller from 1846, and in that time they completed a great deal of church architecture in the county. Among his designs was the Church of St Luke , High Orchard (1841), St Matthew's Parish Church, Twigworth (1841–42), adding a north aisle to Hasfield (1849–50), and the reconstruction of the Church of St Lawrence , Sandhurst (1857–58), and

9588-462: Was followed by a reception for local dignitaries and business leaders at the nearby Celtic Manor Resort . There was no prior press release or other official communication from either the UK or Welsh Governments. The total cost for renaming the bridge, including the installation of two above road signs (and associated staffing costs to close the carriageways with and traffic diverted via the M48) along with

9690-685: Was known as the "Bondi Committee" (after Professor Sir Hermann Bondi ). The committee investigated 6 possible barrage locations, from English Stones at the top of the estuary, down to a location largely at sea in the Bristol Channel between Lynmouth in North Devon and Porthcawl in South Wales. It produced a major energy paper, which recommended a 10 miles (16 km) long barrage of concrete powerhouse between Brean Down and Lavernock Point, sluice and plain caissons together with sand and rock-fill embankments. It would have generated 7,200 MW on

9792-437: Was not supported in the 2003 Energy Review due to "strong environmental concerns". The RSPB opposes any Severn Barrage because of the effect it will have on the feeding grounds that 85,000 birds depend on, stating "The impact a barrage would have is huge. This is one of the most important sites in the UK for wild birds and the chances of them surviving if it went ahead are fairly slim. There would not be enough room left for all

9894-611: Was proved by his wife Catherine and the executors John Jackson Myers of Huyton, and James Wintle of Newnham. He left less than £12,000. There is a monument to him in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary, Hasfield. In 1970 and 1987, records relating to Fulljames were among those deposited in the Gloucestershire Archives by the Astam Design Partnership where they had been stored in the attic of

9996-400: Was reduced from 17.5% to 15%, but the bridge toll remained unchanged. For convenience the tolls were kept at round multiples of 10p (the bridge toll was largely paid in cash as card payments were not accepted until mid-2012), but the 13p VAT reduction was not passed on immediately. In 2009, the planned toll for cars would have been £5.50, as the announcements listed, but the actual toll charged

10098-467: Was reported in 2012 that the repayments were likely to continue until the early 2020s due to the introduction of a revised settlement to the operator in return for accepting payment by debit and credit cards. The announcement said that even after repayment was complete the toll charges would likely remain at the same levels. However, in July 2017 it was announced that the toll would be abolished, In July 2017,

10200-479: Was talking to Corlan Hafren , a private sector consortium, about a proposal to build a privately financed barrage from Lavernock Point to Brean Down. The Department for Energy and Climate Change said it had received the first draft of a business case for the scheme, and that it was an "interesting proposition". The campaign was led in 2012 by politician Peter Hain . It has been suggested by Atkins that similar schemes could be trialled on smaller estuaries in advance of

10302-400: Was then led until the 2010 General Election by Ed Miliband , who was at that time the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change . The study aims to gather and assess evidence to enable the Government to decide whether it could support a tidal power scheme in the Severn Estuary and if so on what basis. Key work areas involved are: The feasibility study concluded its first phase when

10404-571: Was £5.40. George Osborne , the then Chancellor of the Exchequer , announced in March 2015 that the tolls would be reduced to £5.40 in 2018, due to VAT being removed when the bridge comes into public ownership. In the 2016 United Kingdom budget , Osborne announced that toll charges on the Severn crossings would be halved in 2018. The toll was due to be cut to £5.40 in 2017 but was increased. It

#493506