The Mersey Estuary is an amazing place. It’s been vital for the economic prosperity for the area, an iconic part of our history and always stunning for wildlife. It’s a European Special Protection Area ( SPA ), a designated Ramsar site, and one of the four nationally designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) 

Each autumn, birds arrive on the Mersey Estuary all the way from the Arctic . The estuary is a vital link in the chain of migration that sustains many birds through the winter. They choose the estuary as their winter quarters because it’s a sheltered site with an abundance of food. And it’s not just wintering species who love it on the Mersey . The estuary is also a popular and important breeding ground for skylarks and redshanks, as well as colonies of gulls.

Together with Morecambe Bay , and the Ribble and Dee estuaries, the Mersey forms part of Europe ’s most important wetlands network for wintering and passage birds, hosting almost a million every year

This wildlife haven, however, could be under threat. Developer Peel Energy has proposed a major tidal energy scheme on the Mersey and is currently considering a range of options i.e. Tidal Barrages, Lagoons, Tidal Power Gates, Tidal Fences;   which have been chosen for their energy output rather than their potential impact on the environment

The estuary is ecologically diverse; it’s important for a wide range of plants and animals including invertebrates, fish and mammals, such as seals and otters and includes internationally important bird habitats. This needs to be recognised in any scheme that comes forward.

Were concerned the estuary may suffer a dynamic change, causing a reduction in tidal range, loss of inter-tidal mudflats, changes in currents leading to estuary erosion and altered sedimentation. Ultimately leading to a reduction in birds visiting and migrating to the area, and an unwanted impact on fish and mobile marine species.

Who winters here?

35,000 Dunlin, 2000 Curlew, 3000 Knot, 6000 Teal, 10,000 Widgeon, 6000 Shelduck, 2000 Black Tailed Godwit, 3000 Redshank, 8000 Lapwings, 500 Golden Plover and 700 Ringed Plover.

Our position

Tackling climate change is urgent, and existing proven technologies such as wind energy need to be deployed rapidly to address the short-term need for alternative energy sources. Unfortunately, technologies that exploit tidal energy without incurring significant environmental damage are not so well advanced.

We believe that climate change is the greatest long-term threat to the natural world and support renewable energy so long as schemes do not have a significantly adverse effect on the environment. We are committed to working constructively with the developer. We believe that backers of this proposal should work strenuously to search for the best technology, designed to ensure that any negative impact on the environment is minimised.

Peel Holdings are intending to submit a planning application by the end of 2011 and intend to have their scheme in operation by 2020. There is only one opportunity to get a tidal energy scheme right for the Mersey and selecting the optimum scheme will be hampered by the need to press ahead with a planning application next year. Since no tidal energy technology has been proven to have a minimal impact on the environment, we believe that the solution lies in encouraging emerging technologies, which are starting to show promise.

Can you help?

Website links

http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-245672

http://www.merseytidalpower.co.uk/downloads/Stage%201%20Options%20Report%20Summary.pdf