Engineers work to strengthen Toddbrook Dam against extreme weather events

The ‘cut off beam’ has been placed on top of the existing waterproof clay core following excavations into the dam wall.

Over the next few weeks a one-metre-high crest wall will be fixed on top of the dam, while two concrete waterproof barriers down the spillway slope will channel overflowing water into the central undamaged section.

In early summer the temporary dam works will be followed by improvements to the inlet structures at the head of the reservoir in Whaley Bridge.

A new system of sluice gates is planned - to provide greater control over how much water flows from the brook into the reservoir or around it via a bypass channel.

The Canal and River Trust say the new features will ensure that the dam spillway is secure in the face of any extreme weather event.

They will remain in place until permanent reconstruction of the auxiliary spillway begins – a project which is likely to take several years and cost around £10 million.

Rob Jowitt, Toddbrook project manager for the Canal and River Trust, told how the reservoir would remain drained to very low levels until the permanent repair project was completed.

He added: “Now the inquiry reports have been published we are working with experienced engineering consultants to produce a costed plan for the dam’s permanent repair.

“We will then enter a 12-week public and planning consultation period before embarking on the construction of the final design solution.

“It is likely work will start on site on this major repair project in early 2021 and take a couple of years to complete.”

Work continues on Toddbrook despite the Canal and River Trust’s postponement of maintenance and repair jobs across the rest of its 2,000-mile waterway network due to coronavirus.

Weekly community open surgery sessions in Whaley Bridge have been suspended following Government guidance on the spread of Covid-19.

However people can still get in touch by emailing [email protected] or they can view updates on the trust’s website by clicking HERE.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor