MPs push tidal barrage across Morecambe Bay over fracking

Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has announced the ban on fracking and shale gas was going to be lifted. Fracking works by forcing water and sand down a pipeline, causing small explosions which shatter hard shale rocks and release gas underground. 

It is a controversial practice because it can cause earth tremors, and undermine the geology of the land. The argument for fracking would be that it is imperative for the UK to consolidate its own gas supply to become less reliant on Russia. 

In light of the lift of the fracking and shale gas ban, Cumbrian MPs have been discussing alternative solutions to make up the energy shortfall - including the long-running proposal to build a tidal barrage across Morecambe Bay. 

Cars could bypass the A590 by using the route (Image: Northern Tidal Power Gateways)

MPs Tim Farron and Simon Fell have long been proponents of a tidal barrage across Morecambe Bay that would be a renewable means of creating energy for the National Grid. Private companies such as Northern Tidal Power Gateways have been set up to lobby for a barrage. It would also have the option of creating a road link between Barrow and near Morecambe, relieving traffic off the A590. 

READ MORE: Northern Tidal Power Gateways' boss discusses the advantages of tidal power

MP for Barrow and Furness Simon Fell said: "Tim (Farron) was kind enough to sign my letter alongside every other Cumbrian MP asking for the government to explore the benefits of tidal energy a year or so ago."

Mr Fell never crossed his own party's line by rejecting the fracking ban lift, however, he did say: "My view is that fracking is quite rightly not going to take off - we should be exploring more of these sustainable technologies and energy sources now. For quite some time, offshore wind was seen as a white elephant - now we can't get enough of it." 

He said that he had already been in touch with Mr Rees-Mogg, who now also manages issues related to energy as part of his role as Business Secretary.

MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron said a tidal scheme on Morecambe Bay would create 'more value' than fracking over the long term, and the government should 'just do renewables.'

When asked if the tidal barrage would create an impact on the environment during construction, Mr Farron said: "Of course, but it would be less invasive than large-scale fracking."