A tidal barrage across the Mersey could provide a new link between Wirral and Liverpool, according to a report.
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said the Mersey Tidal Power Project could power a million homes and create thousands of jobs.
The authority said it wanted to extend its devolution agreement to ‘develop, not just explore’ tidal range technology and to secure grant funding.
The scheme, which would involve constructing a barrage with turbines, sluices and marine navigation locks in the Mersey, could be operational by 2040, according to a report.
Images in the report show people walking and cycling across the barrage.
The region’s mayor, Steve Rotheram, said: ‘For as long as I can remember there has been talk of building a tidal barrage on the river Mersey and, thanks to devolution, we’re working to make it a reality.
‘I want to harness the potential of our great river, which has been the lifeblood of our region’s fortunes throughout its past – to power our future.’