SIR— Further to your front page report 'West Somerset vs EDF: What's in it for us?' and coverage of the blockade of Hinkley Point (Free Press October 7), I would like to invite our local community to consider an alternative to Hinkley - the Severn Estuary, with the second greatest tidal range in the world and, according to a Government report last year, the potential to generate five per cent of the total electricity needs of the UK.  

While plans for a Severn Barrage have died a death due to its insurmountable environmental problems, other options are alive and kicking.

Firstly, a proposal for a tidal reef from Warren Point, near Minehead, to Aberthaw has received two favourable reports from engineering consultants W S Atkins, commissioned first by the RSPB (looking at environmental issues), and second by the Government's Department of Energy and Climate Change (looking at the engineering feasibility). 

It reached a shortlist of five proposals for Government funding last year but didn't make the final cut. 

This could be a big project of national significance, with the potential for large scale energy generation. 

Secondly, a marine turbine was successfully tried out off the coast at Lynmouth in 2003.  Marine turbines are relatively inexpensive and can generate enough electricity to power 600 homes.  Several of these might be installed as small local investment schemes.

Local control of and investment in harnessing the Severn is a key issue. 

While I'm personally opposed to Hinkley on several grounds including both the immediate danger and the long-term legacy of radioactive waste, I'm also against it because local people have no control, dubious financial benefits (profits will go to EDF), and are in the front line regarding the risks (plus EDF are reported to be around 30 billion euros in debt; will we find ourselves bailing them out with UK public money – our money?)   

Let's reclaim control of our options!  Why let the Hinkley juggernaut trample over us when the Severn tide is rolling in and rolling out, twice a day, every day, reliably, predictably, sustainably and indefinitely? 

Get in touch with our local Transition group, Transition Minehead and Alcombe, via Hester Wats at hestertavens@yahoo. co.uk to support this project - it ticks all the boxes! 

Caitlin Collins,

Cowbridge,

Timberscombe.