Ambitious plans to build the world’s largest tidal power scheme on the River Mersey have received strong support during the first public engagement phase.
- Over 3,000 responses were received, with 84% backing the project and 92% supporting the need for more renewable energy in the Liverpool City Region.
- The non-statutory consultation results show that more than three-quarters of respondents 'strongly' support the scheme, with an additional 8% 'somewhat' supporting it. This project could provide enough clean, predictable energy to power hundreds of thousands of homes for at least 120 years.
The engagement, which ran from 1 October to 15 November 2024, included 10 drop-in events across the city region, attended by 1,238 people. The consultation also featured a website and online survey.
- In total, 3,039 responses were received from a diverse range of respondents, including local authorities, businesses, environmental organizations, charities, local groups, and members of the public.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is advancing the Mersey Tidal Power project, aiming to construct a tidal range barrage across the River Mersey between Liverpool and the Wirral to generate renewable energy.
This project is expected to create thousands of jobs and establish the first-ever above-ground connection between Wirral and Liverpool. It will open up opportunities for new walking and cycling routes, enhance flood protection, and support climate mitigation efforts. Additionally, the project will include locks to allow ships to pass through.
Cllr Anthony Burns, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Net Zero, said:
“We’re confident that the Mersey Tidal Power project, which would be the largest of its kind in the world, has a vital part to play in helping the transition away from fossil fuels to green, renewable electricity.”
“But we know that we have to have the support of the public to move ahead with this transformational project and that’s why we’re committed to speaking with and listening to local people as we continue the project’s development.”
The project has been classified as a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’ under the Planning Act 2008. This classification necessitates an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO), which will be evaluated by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
A non-statutory consultation, known as the ‘Phase 1 Community Consultation,’ was conducted to gather feedback from local communities and stakeholders on the emerging project proposals. This consultation took place ahead of a statutory consultation on the proposed application, scheduled for later in 2025, in accordance with the Planning Act 2008.
Participants in the consultation highlighted the potential economic and environmental benefits for the city region, with many noting the advantages of a walking and cycling link across the barrage. Additionally, the River Mersey was frequently mentioned as a suitable location for tidal energy.
However, concerns were raised about the project's potential environmental impact, particularly on the river and its wildlife, including birds, mammals, and fish. There were also worries about disruptions to local communities and river users, as well as questions regarding project funding and overall costs.
Several suggestions for environmental enhancements were received, such as habitat creation, green infrastructure, and tree planting. Feedback and ideas for future public consultations were also provided.
The findings from this consultation will be taken into account as the project progresses, which will involve further engineering design work, stakeholder and landowner engagement, and environmental assessments. Information on how the feedback from the non-statutory consultation has influenced the project will be shared at a later date.
Of those who responded to the consultation, 36% were from Liverpool (1,053), 28% from the Wirral (824), and 14% from Sefton (392). Smaller numbers of responses came from St Helens (3%, 84) and Warrington (2%, 65), while 3% (77) were from other areas such as Cheshire East, Lancashire, Manchester, Yorkshire, and London. Some respondents mentioned they had previously lived in one of the listed areas but had since moved away.
Image and Video credit: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority