I AM surprised we have not taken on board the lessons learned from the small-scale tidal barrage at La Rance in Brittany

I AM surprised we have not taken on board the lessons learned from the small-scale tidal barrage at La Rance in Brittany. They have tried keeping the water in the estuary at various levels but none of these have been really satisfactory.If a Severn Barrage is built it can be used as a high, mid or low level scheme. If the water is kept at low level or halfway the sea will be so far out we would have to walk round to Anchor Head to see it, but a high level scheme would present even greater problems.During neap tides the water would come halfway along the Grand Pier and at Spring tides it would lap up to the promenade. We would see the water slowly rise to the prom for a week and then slowly recede to halfway along the pier in the next week.During the high period rainwater would not be able to drain from Weston into the sea.Sedimentation is another problem. After a Spring tide the sand is now covered with a thin layer of slimy, Severn mud. Imagine what it would be like after a whole week!Holiday trade? Forget it!MIKE ROGERS - Baker Street, Weston