I FAIL to understand why there is a persistent suggestion that the Newport barrage across the Usk will be of any use. Anyone who saw the photograph on the front of the Argus for September 13 will have seen exactly why the scheme is a non-starter.

The picture shows the river Usk in flood and a bright brown colour, showing the vast amount of water-borne solids present and always present in the water. The whole of the channel of the river will silt up and have to be removed at astronomical cost because it is only the twice-daily tide scouring of the river that keeps its channel clear.

If the barrage is built it will mean that far more properties in Newport will in future be subject to flooding as water will always find its level, no matter what obstacles are placed in its way.

V.T. Davies Chartered Surveyor Newport