Public consultation on repairs to Toddbrook Reservoir in Whaley Bridge begins

The Canal and River Trust charity, which cares for the reservoir will launch the review and hope to find out the views of as many local residents as possible about what they would like to see in the area.

As part of the decision-making process, the trust still needs to commission a number of ground investigation and environmental surveys, therefore discussions with near neighbours, including the Sailing Club and Whaley Bridge Athletic Football Club, will play a role in arriving at a decision on the viability of each option.

Toddbrook Reservoir one year on: Seven days that shook the Whaley Bridge community - but made it stronger

Expert engineers from the trust and specialist engineering design consultants Arup examined 13 different permanent repair options for the reservoir and have now narrowed these down to two potential designs.

More than 1,500 residents in Whaley Bridge had to leave their homes for several days in August last year over fears the dam could collapse, after the spillway was damaged due to days of heavy rainfall.

Simon Bamford, Asset Improvement Director who is leading on the repair project for the trust, said: “Our aim has always been to keep local residents involved and informed.

“We appreciate the works to make safe the damaged auxiliary spillway have had a big impact on many residents, clubs and businesses, but we are delighted to announce these have now been completed.

“We appreciate that the second major phase of works due to start next year is likely to continue to cause some disruption and we do thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”

He added: “Keeping people safe is our top priority.

“As part of that we want to create the best 21st century solution for controlling the reservoir and enabling it to continue in its vital task of supplying water to the Peak Forest Canal.”

Both potential designs involve the creation of new overflow spillway channels from the reservoir into the River Goyt.

One option takes a new channel via the end of the Sailing Club car park and the second option has a new spillway routed through the woodland and Memorial Park.

Under both options, the existing auxiliary spillway, which was damaged last summer, becomes redundant and is replaced with a grassy slope.

The smaller original primary spillway near the Sailing Club will also be de-commissioned.

The high volume pumps will remain in the reservoir to keep the water levels very low until the end of the reservoir restoration project in about three years’ time.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the consultation will mainly be online but there will also be a chance to see the plans and discuss proposals with expert engineers at two socially distanced drop-in events to be held on Friday, September 18 between 2pm and 6pm and Saturday, September 19 from 10am until 3pm at the Transhipment Warehouse in the Whaley Bridge Canal Basin.

Toddbrook Reservoir emergency: This is how the Whaley Bridge dam looks one year on

The consultation closes on September 30 and a final decision on the chosen repair option will be reached before work begins in 2021.

To register your views in the public consultation, visit https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/restoring-toddbrook-reservoir.