Towpath Talk

Toddbrook Reservoir repairs – what happens next?

- By Colin Wareing

FOLLOWING the damage to the spillway on the wall of Toddbrook Dam and partial temporary evacuation of Whaley Bridge in August 2019, the Canal & River Trust launched a public consultati­on on the next stage of the repairs.

Engineers from Arup came up with more than a dozen possible options, including the rebuilding of the dam or even decommissi­oning the reservoir altogether, which would have had drastic effects on the water supply for the Peak Forest and Macclesfie­ld canals.

The possible engineerin­g solutions have taken into considerat­ion many factors including the discovery of old coal mine workings under the dam, the access to the site which may involve temporary roadways, ecological surveys which are ongoing that are indicating the presence of bats, the removal of some trees that are on the route of the new spillway and making the new structures earthquake proof.

Now the public have been asked for their views on two possible options for a new spillway that would be built alongside the present damaged spillway, which will be removed and the dam bank grassed over. Simon Bamford, asset improvemen­t director who is leading on the repair project for the trust, explained: “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.

“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.”

The two possibilit­ies are one on the right of the dam looking from the bottom up or one on the left. The left-hand one would involve more trees being removed while the right-hand one (option A) might mean having to relocate the Toddbrook Sailing Club’s clubhouse.

If option A is settled on there is the possibilit­y that the lower part of the new spillway, which would also be carrying water away from the bywash channel, could become a water feature in the park between the dam and the River Goyt.

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

The work will require planning permission and it is expected to start in spring 2021 with the aim of refilling the reservoir over the winter of 2022-23. In the meantime the pumps and pipework that are keeping the water level down in the reservoir will remain in place. These have now been purchased by CRT, which is a cheaper option than continuing to hire them.

Public drop-in sessions at the Whaley transshipm­ent warehouse were due to take place in September although most of the consultati­on was expected to be carried out via the internet at www:// canalandri­vertrust.org.uk/restoringt­oddbrook-reservoir and was due to close on September 30.

 ?? PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS ?? The damaged spillway at Toddbrook reservoir in December 2019. Under proposals from Canal & River Trust there could be a new spillway constructe­d through the trees on the far side of the spillway. The alternativ­e spillway could be built behind the photograph­er. The bywash channel here carrying the water around the reservoir would be diverted away from the bottom of the slope. The concrete facing of the damaged spillway would be removed and this would become a grassy slope.
PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS The damaged spillway at Toddbrook reservoir in December 2019. Under proposals from Canal & River Trust there could be a new spillway constructe­d through the trees on the far side of the spillway. The alternativ­e spillway could be built behind the photograph­er. The bywash channel here carrying the water around the reservoir would be diverted away from the bottom of the slope. The concrete facing of the damaged spillway would be removed and this would become a grassy slope.
 ?? PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS ?? A, from Under one of the proposals, option
be a new Canal & River Trust there could
slope, spillway constructe­d down this
have to go possibly meaning the tree would
Toddbrook and the building on the right, the
relocated. Sailing Club’s clubhouse, being
PHOTO: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS A, from Under one of the proposals, option be a new Canal & River Trust there could slope, spillway constructe­d down this have to go possibly meaning the tree would Toddbrook and the building on the right, the relocated. Sailing Club’s clubhouse, being
 ?? PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST ?? The higher crest wall and new barrier will provide added protection until the permanent project is completed.
PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST The higher crest wall and new barrier will provide added protection until the permanent project is completed.

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