Whaley Bridge dam – can residents return home and is Toddbrook reservoir dam now safe?

RELIEVED residents can finally return home after a burst dam forced them to spend nearly a week away from home.

Engineers have worked around the clock to shore up Derbyshire’s Todbrook Reservoir and reduce its water levels. Here’s what we know.

What’s the latest?

After six days of pumping, Whaley Bridge residents were told they could finally return safely to their homes.

More than 1,500 residents had been evacuated from the Derbyshire town since Thursday after fears the dam wall could collapse following heavy rain, although a small number refused to leave their homes.

The immediate danger posted to Whaley Bridge has now passed.

Hero emergency services worked around the clock to reduce the water to a safe level.

Derbyshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann said: “The hard work and dedication to achieve this has been quite simply incredible.

“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.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “So pleased to hear that Whaley Bridge residents, who have shown such spirit and patience, are being allowed back into their homes.

“I want to thank the volunteers, emergency services, Armed Forces and all who responded with such professionalism and dedication.”

What happened to the dam?

The dam between Whaley Bridge and Tollbrook Reservoir partially ruptured on August 1, sparking fears of “catastrophic” flooding in the town.

Army and fire crews worked for six days to shore up the reservoir with aggregate while pumping out water into the River Goyt to ease the pressure.

Though the town is safe for resents, the dam itself will eventually have to be rebuilt.

The Environment Agency said there is still “significant” work to be done to bring the dam to a condition where “long term safety can be assured”.

Where is Whaley Bridge?

Whaley Bridge is a small town in the High Peak district of Derbyshire.

It is 16 miles South East of Manchester and has a population of about 6,455.

The first local government was formed in 1863, but records of the region go back to the 13th century as it had the name Weyley or Weylegh.

The huge reservoir, which holds 300million gallons of water, lies just south east of the small Peak District town.

If the dam wall collapses, water will flow into the main road and fill the town, causing a serious risk to life and to businesses.