A HUGE SCHEME.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18573, 27 November 1920, Page 9

A HUGE SCHEME.

HARNESSING THE TjtDE. ILLIMITABLE POSSIBILITIES OF THE SEVERN. TRANSPORT MINISTRY’S PLANS. INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION FORESHADOWED. By Telegropti—Piftßo Asnociat,ion— Copyright. Houtcr’e Telsgxamo. LONDON, November 25. The Ministry of Transport has evolved a great water-power scheme for harnessing the tides in the Severn, involving two separate gigantic barrages across i,ho estuary to prevent the water escaping when the tide ebbs, except through turbines, which will dote Lop upwards of a million horse-power, also an immense pumping station, deriving electrical energy from the barrage for feeding a vast high-level reservoir, for water storage against tho time when water tor Gte turbines is deficient. It is estimated that tho cost of generation will bo approximately one half-penny per unit, effecting a yearly saving of four million tons of coal. WORLD’S GREATEST WATERPOWER SCHEME. BARRAGE AND TURBINES. A NEW~LAKE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 26, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 26. Tho Transport Ministry’s engineering department has published details of the world’s greatest water-power schemo, utilising the Severn’s tides m ordor to produce an estimated total ot over half a million eleetrioal horsopower per ten hour day. Niagara only furnishes 285,000 horse-power. The Ministry’s scheme possesses limitloss attractions, opening a vista which will bo little short of industrial revolution in Wales and the western midland of England, effectively solving traffic problems in that region and bringing within reach of all classes of the community the blessings of cheap light and power. ' . Tho sohome proposes the construction of a barrage on tho Severn in the vicinity of the Severn tunnel. The tide would be admitted through swinging sluices, automatically closing when the tide began to fall, the water passing, instead, through gigantic turbines, capable of generating a million horsepower. ’ A subsidiary scheme, which itself is gigantic, proposes a vast high level lake in Wye Valley, above Tintern Abbey Tho surplus power generated by the turbines would be utilised to pump water to the lake, being forced en route through a tunnel a mile in length and fortv feet in diameter. This lake would ho used to supply reserve power when tho tide power during the neap tides was below requirements. It is believed that tho lako project would solve the difficult problem of securing an ample, constant supply of power, which arises from the fact that neap tides furnish only one quarter of the power of spring tides. A GREAT PORT. EASY ROAD TRANSPORT. Deviation projects are themselves of the first magnitude. Some would create shipping basins covering twentyseven square miles, much of which would bo usable by the largest vessels at any state of the tide. The shores would be suitable for great industrial undertakings. Deep water wharves could easily be constructed and tho Bcheme would revolutionise tho canal system of England by providing direct transhipment from great industrial centres. Tho dam would carry several rail tracks, dispensing with the objectionable Severn tunnel. It also would carry roads, including a concrete road for motor transport, paving a fiftymile deviation through Gloucester. Brigadier-General Sir Alexander Gibb developed the main lines of the scheme and two leading engineers worked out tho details. The Ministry says little oh regards the financial and commercial aspeots but it is estimated that power would be produced at a cost of a halfpenny per Board of Trade unit. It would save the nation about four million tons or coal, besides establishing a new shipping and industrial region. Newspaper comment is cautious, welcoming the project as containing illimitable possibilities, but pointing out that it had yot to bo proved as a commercial proposition ,