Reservoir being refilled after six years of work
2 hours ago
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Malia Carty
East Midlands
Canal & River Trust
The original Toddbrook Reservoir was first opened in 1840 as a feeder for the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals
A reservoir that nearly collapsed in 2019 is being refilled with water after six years of repair work.
About 1,500 homes were evacuated in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, when part of the Toddbrook Reservoir spillway broke away after heavy rain.
A project to repair the reservoir and create an overflow spillway was completed in December, and inspectors have now given the go-ahead for it to be refilled.
Dilwyn Parry, Toddbrook project manager for the Canal and River Trust, said: "By late summer we should have reached the major milestone of returning the reservoir to its important role of supplying water to the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals and as a vital resource for the local community."
Danny Lawson/PA Media
An RAF helicopter dropped 400 bags of aggregate to help prevent the dam wall from completely collapsing
The reservoir will be gradually filled with water over the coming months.
As part of the project, the former walkway across the dam wall crest will be reinstated, with a new bridge over the spillway expected to open to the public by the autumn.
Once the reservoir has been filled, it will be restocked with fish, and work to construct a new sailing club will also get under way.
Plans have also been made for the town's Memorial Park, which is near the spillway, to be relandscaped with shrubs, spring bulbs and mature trees.
A new playground is also planned.
Parry added: "We are extremely grateful for the continued support and patience of local residents."
Canal & River Trust
The spillway structure was created out of reinforced concrete to carry water from Todd Brook and any reservoir overflow into the River Goyt
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More on this story
Whaley Bridge reservoir repairs near completion
Whaley Bridge dam emergency in pictures
How well was the Whaley Bridge dam maintained?
Related internet links
Canal & River Trust
Whaley Bridge
Derbyshire