Evacuated residents return home after dam made safe

Residents of evacuated Whaley Bridge have been told it is safe to return to their homes.

Derbyshire Police said stability of the dam wall at Toddbrook Reservoir was achieved at 1pm yesterday.

More than 1,500 people had been evacuated from the Derbyshire town since last Thursday after heavy rain, although a small number refused to leave their properties.

Police let 55 households in the Horwich End area of the town to return home following a public meeting on Tuesday afternoon after the target water level was reached.

After allowing residents to go home, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann said the danger posed by the dam “could not be underestimated”.

She said further work will be done to determine the damage caused to the dam wall and what the future holds for the structure.

Ms Swann said: “The hard work and dedication to achieve this has been quite simply incredible and means that I am now able to lift the evacuation order placed on Whaley Bridge and the surrounding area.

“At the forefront of our thoughts are the communities affected by this incident who have been steadfast in the face of the peril that lay behind that dam wall.

“The danger posed by the millions of tonnes of water, which would have destroyed homes and livelihoods, could not be underestimated.

“Over the coming days and weeks further work will be completed to ascertain the damage caused to the dam wall and what actions are required for the future. We must not forget that the dam is broken.

“The Environment Agency has confirmed that the measures remaining in place at the dam will be able to manage the levels of rain forecasted, modelling against a number of scenarios.

“With this, and confirmation of the effectiveness of the work to repair the damage done and reduce the water coming into the reservoir, I am able to confirm it is safe for people to go back to their homes.”

Bill Derbyshire from the Environment Agency said: “We have reviewed the Canal and River Trust Management Plan. The Environment Agency believes as long as all provisions are acted on this will give sufficient warning to residents.

“The Toddbrook dam requires significant engineering works to bring it to a condition where its long-term safety can be assured.

“The Environment Agency expects the Canal and River Trust to do the necessary investigations and engineering work to make the dam safe and protect the community.

“The Environment Agency will continue to work with partners to ensure the Canal and River Trust is able to maintain the reduction of water and to pump water out of the reservoir.

“The multi-agency work means we are in a better position to react to any risks from the dam.”

Yesterday morning, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said the reservoir was at around 12-15% capacity.