Bridge is better than causeway

REGARDING the article "Island at a crossroads over link to Luing" (News, 7 February), there is one thing nobody seems to have considered.

If a barrier is made across Cuan Sound, the huge tidal momentum will expend itself in Seil Sound, Clachan Sound and the eastern part of Cuan Sound by raising the high tide level. By how much is anyone's guess. Gales frequently increase the height considerably, not to mention the occasional tidal surge. How much shoreland will be flooded? How much compensation will be paid for all land below a new mean high water mark, which will be given away to the Crown forever. Don't forget the story of King Canute.

The obvious answer is the high level bridge, proposed in 2007, but why not a single track, traffic-light controlled bridge? The Connel Bridge works very well, with a far higher traffic density than will ever use the crossing to Luing. Tidal flow turbines placed in the bridge piers to generate electricity could contribute to paying the costs. Most of the structure could be floated in on barges. Situated just east of the ferry, the approach roads would also be shorter than for a causeway.

David Foster, Oban