Conservationists warn plans for tidal barrier across The Wash could be "catastrophic"

Conservation groups have again raised concerns about a proposed tidal barrier across The Wash, between Norfolk and Lincolnshire, warning it could cause "catastrophic damage" to nature.

Centre Port LTD, the company behind the proposal say an 11 mile long barrage, linking Gibraltar Point and Hunstaton, will protect the low lying Fenlands from future flooding.

They also claim it will provide a new transport link between the two counties, generating millions of pounds for the local economy.

A deep sea container port will also be built midway along the barrage, providing a new link for shipping in the North Sea, at a cost of around £2bn.

Centre Port claim the project would help the environment by generating low-carbon tidal energy, while preserving "The Wash's natural areas for wildlife, which will otherwise be lost through climate change in 2 generations."

However a group of environmental and wildlife charities disagree and argue the scheme would cause irreparable harm to the unique habitat of The Wash.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, RSPB and Wild Ken Hill were among groups to raise concerns at a meeting with Centre Port CEO James Sutcliffe.

Experts fear a loss of tides from the North Sea would risk turning The Wash into a "green, fetid lake".

They've also raised concerns about carbon emissions that would be created during construction, which would only add to climate change and increase the risk of flooding.

There are also fears for the fishing industry around Boston and King's Lynn, which contributes £3.5m to the local economy every year.

Gareth Dalglish, Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Nature Recovery Director, said: “The obvious lack of concern for this delicate wild landscape, and its importance on a local, national and global scale for people and wildlife is deeply concerning.

“This scheme would destroy vast swathes of saltmarsh - a crucial habitat supporting wildlife, commercial fish stocks and a vital carbon store that helps combat climate change.

"And it won’t just reduce carbon storage - it will exacerbate the issue due to significant carbon emissions linked to the development and management of the barrage and its associated infrastructure.

“The sediments which accumulate in The Wash store 11,000 tonnes of carbon every year; if a barrage is built, this sediment supply into The Wash from the North Sea will be stopped.

"There are far better ways to deal with climate change and the threat of sea level rise affecting communities than trashing the environment with a huge development.”

Steve Rowland, RSPB Area Manager, said: “A tidal barrage would impede the flow of water from the five rivers that drain into The Wash and the tides that cover it every day."

"In doing so the development would destroy our most important site for wildlife in England and introduce potentially life-threatening flood risks to communities living upstream of the many rivers that currently flow into The Wash and along the coastline.”

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