Morecambe Bridge plans move a step closer

Research has revealed that the "green" bridge could help produce energy for up to 80% of homes in the North West through tidal power.

The company behind the proposals, Bridge Across the Bay, said its priority was renewable energy.

A spokesman said the use of the bridge as a transport route from Heysham to Barrow was a secondary issue.

The independent research into the potential of the bridge, which would use underwater and offshore wind turbines, was carried out by hydraulic specialists HG Wallingford.

It found the project, which could create 2,000 jobs, could produce enough tidal power to fuel 2.2m of the 2.8m households in the north west of England.

We aim to extract no more than 10% of the potential power. David Brockbank of Bridge Across the Bay

Environmentalists have warned the project will need to meet tough guidelines as the bay is a special protection area.

But David Brockbank, chairman of Bridge Across the Bay, promised all would be done to preserve the environment.

He said: "Extracting the potential energy would have a major impact on the ecology of the bay.

"For that reason, we aim to extract no more than 10% of potential power and are committed to minimising the impact on the environment."

The suspension bridge would also shave an hour off the journey between Lancashire and the Lake District.