Economic and financial development of the Mersey Barrage

The authors outline the Mersey Barrage which will provide electricity generation by impounding flood tides and releasing the water later on the ebb through turbines. Provision for movement of shipping will be by two locks. The Barrage will provide a catalyst for regeneration on Merseyside. It has been the subject of studies and design since 1983. The objectives of the recent studies were to promote certainty in regard to construction costs, methods and programme and to carry out a cost benefit analysis. This required advancement of the energy yield, engineering and site investigation studies of the general Line 3 position. In addition, the concerns of the environmental and shipping interests were further considered.