Published: April 1, 2010
Exclusive first look at £6bn airport proposals for Severn Barrage

A multi-billion pound regional airport could be built on top of the Severn Barrage next to Brean Down if major proposals unveiled this week get the go-ahead.

Welsh entrepreneur Gareth Woodham - the man behind the proposed Severn Lake 'energy causeway' between Brean Down and Lavernock Point - has given Burnham-On-Sea.com an exclusive first look at these architect's drawings of the planned £6bn airport.

Boasting two runways, the airport would be located on the barrage between Steep Holme and Flat Holme, as pictured, and would target travellers from Wales and the West Country.

If financial and government backing can be found, the plans could one day become a reality - transforming the barrage from a tidal power generator into a transport hub for the region, thereby generating millions of pounds of new investment.

Mr Woodham told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Wednesday: "The proposals are feasible - I truly believe an airport here is do-able."

"Having the flight path over the Bristol Channel would mean minimal disturbance to people living along the coastline."

"And the fact that many safe, successful airports already exist next to coastlines around the world - such as Hong Kong - means safety would not be an issue."

The plans - which stem from a recent architects' competition held in Cardiff - also show an underground rail link could be introduced within the barrage for travellers to access the airport in the centre of the structure.

"During these depressed economic times, a huge capital project like this would generate massive investment for the region," added Mr Woodham.

The airport's runways would be built on a reinforced concrete structure running downstream of the barrage, as shown above

Brean Down is seen here in the background of the huge structure in the Bristol Channel

A detailed map of the proposed airport shows the plans for an underground train station on the barrage