River Mersey tidal power project preferred location revealed

River Mersey tidal power project location revealed Image source, LCRCA Image caption, The area between Bromborough and Otterspool has been identified as best place for a proposed barrage By Georgie Docker North West Published 2 hours ago The preferred location for a "potentially transformational" tidal power scheme on the River Mersey has been revealed. The proposed barrage has been a long-time ambition of Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram who said he wants to harness the power of the river.

A 1.5 mile (2.4km) stretch of the River Mersey between Bromborough in Wirral and Otterspool in Liverpool has now been identified as the preferred area for the project. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will be asked to approve the location at a meeting on 6 November. No construction work can take place until a Development Consent Order is granted and investment is in place. Image source, LCRCA A tidal power scheme has been mooted for the River Mersey since 2005 but was put on hold in 2011 when it was deemed not profitable enough in the medium term to attract investment.

A long ambition of Steve Rotheram, the plan was revived by Liverpool City Region Mayor in 2017 and in 2020 £2.5m of funding was approved for the project. "For as long as I can remember, people have talked about harnessing the power of the River Mersey," Rotheram said. "Identifying where the barrage could be built is a major step forward for a project that has the potential to be genuinely transformational – not just for our region, but for the country."

"At a time when events around the world can send energy prices soaring, we need to make better use of the resources we have on our own doorstep. "We should be generating more of our own energy, strengthening our energy security and creating good jobs here at home." Get in touch Tell us which stories we should cover on Merseyside Contact form Contact form Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook , external , X , external , and Instagram , external .

You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Related topics Liverpool Metropolitan Borough of Wirral More on this story Corbyn backs £3.5bn Mersey tidal power project Published 26 July 2019 Authority to vote on tidal barrage study plan Published 15 March 2024 Public views sought over Mersey tidal barrier plan Published 21 September 2024 Related internet links Liverpool City Region Combined Authority