Two metres higher than Knightstone

IN TODAY'S Mercury you report that the Weston seafront hoteliers intend to raise money to build a breakwater and marina.To be effective, the breakwater would have to be high enough to stop the highest tides and wind-driven waves, ie higher than the existing seafront and at least two metres higher than Knightstone.A structure this high, built off-shore, would obscure the sea, the horizon, much of Brean Down and Steep Holm, all of Barry and Flat Holm, and all of Penarth and Cardiff. The pool of water this side of the breakwater would have to be at a very low level so that water can drain away from the land, so all we would see is a small muddy puddle and an enormous wall stretching from the River Axe across to Birnbeck Island. They made the same mistake in Cardiff when they built the barrage across Tiger Bay. When the pool was filled they found the houses flooded so they had to reduce the water level. All they have now is a glorified boating pond and the nearest seaside is round the corner at Penarth. Fortunately, Cardiff makes its money in other ways, but if we were to do likewise we would lose the seaside trade forever. The council scheme for a splash barrier may not be popular, but at least it leaves us with a view of the sea and the islands.MIKE ROGERSBaker Street, Weston