The Government is being urged to give the final go-ahead for the tidal power project which is being led by Gloucester Quays based Tidal Lagoon Power.

Gloucester MP Richard Graham, who has been re-elected chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Marine Energy and Tidal Lagoons, said the next few weeks are crucial for the proposed pilot project at Swansea for the world's first ever tidal lagoon.

"Broad Parliamentary support remains as strong as ever for Britain to lead on this strategic opportunity to harness the power of western coastal tides for our energy needs, with over 100 MPs signing my last letter to the BEIS Secretary - and even stronger support on the ground," said the MP.

"But it's now been two years since the government started considering the proposal, and seven months since Charles Hendry completed his Review on Tidal Lagoons commissioned by the Government.

"Clearly any form of energy subsidy, when all of us want to see energy tariffs as low as possible, is sensitive.

"But the proposal covers all aspects of the Department's name - Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy - the Hendry Review is unambiguous about its recommendation to go ahead with a pilot project and there has been plenty of time for consideration. It's time to decide."

Richard Graham said that when Parliament reconvenes next week this would be a good moment for the BEIS Secretary Greg Clark to give the go ahead for this exciting and innovative project.

"It would show that the Government can make bold strategic decisions to back a new, reliable and secure way of generating green energy, using British technology, steel and turbines. Further delay risks killing the project in slow motion," said the MP.