‘Use River Mersey to provide clean energy’
● THE metro mayor has called on the Prime Minister to back plans to harness the power of the River Mersey to provide clean and predictable energy.
Theresa May announced a 25 year plan to improve the UK’s environment last month.
In a speech, Mrs May outlined how the environment will be improved over a generation by creating richer habitats for wildlife, improving air and water quality and curbing the scourge of plastic in the world’s oceans.
Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has reacted to the announcement and believes the River Mersey, which separates Runcorn and Widnes, should be harnessed for green energy.
He said: “I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to building a ‘cleaner, greener country’ to ‘reap the economic rewards of the clean growth revolution’.
“However, unless it is backed up with primary legislation, it will appear to be merely more rhetoric from Government with no delivery plan.
“Safeguarding our environment and meeting the targets for clean air and greenhouse emissions must include plans for clean and sustainable energy solutions; therefore, I was alarmed that within the 151page, 25 Year Plan To Improve The Environment, no reference was made to renewable energy.
“The Liverpool City Region, with our great natural and human assets, stands ready to become Britain’s energy coast.
“We are already leading the way with offshore wind, we now need the Government to support ambitious plans to harness the power of the River Mersey.”
Entitled A Green Future, measures to be adopted include extending the 5p plastic bag charge to small retailers.
A removal of consumer single use plastics from the Government estate is envisaged, and working with retailers on introducing plastic-free supermarket aisles is also planned.
A total of 500,000 hectares of new habitat for endangered species will be created, while farmers will be supported to turn fields into meadows and other habitats, replenishing depleted soils and providing £5.7m to ● kick-start a new Northern Forest, which covers Halton.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “Respecting nature’s intrinsic value and making sure we are wise stewards of our natural world is critical if we are to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it.
“Our Environment Plan sets out how over the next 25 years we will radically reduce the waste that is choking oceans and rivers, cleanse our air of toxic pollutants and create new habitats for our precious wildlife.
“Through this, we will build on our reputation as a global leader in environmental protection, creating an environment everyone can enjoy and helping the next generation flourish.”