The extra 55 homes evacuated on Saturday morning in part of Whaley Bridge have been told they can go home now because water levels have reduced.

In a meeting of residents this evening those evacuated were told that the water level in the damage reservoir has now been reduced by 9.5 metres

There is no further damage to the dam but the Canal and Rivers Trust said that the reservoir will fill up quickly in the event of heavy rain so they need to keep people out of their homes for at least another night.

There will be a meeting tomorrow morning to decide whether everyone else can return home

Earlier police reported that fifth night of pumping has taken place to reduce the level of water in the reservoir

Fire service high volume pumps (HVP) from Derbyshire and across the UK have been working around the clock alongside 12” civil engineering pumps and to date have been able to reduce the water level by a total of 7.8 meters.

Over the last 24 hours, pontoons have been put in place on the reservoir to float the pumps so that pumping can continue as the water level recedes.

This takes away the need to continually relocate pumps to ensure the efficient and effective removal of water. Pumping will continue until engineers and specialists deem the dam safe.

Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer, Terry McDermott and Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Gavin Tomlinson have been overseeing the fire and rescue service’s response to the incident at Toddbrook Reservoir and have both paid tribute to the residents of Whaley Bridge for their resilience, the army of volunteers helping to keep people working on the ground fed and watered, all the emergency services responding from Derbyshire and beyond and the partner agencies all working tirelessly to resolve the incident.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Gavin Tomlinson said: “We hope to have the water at a safe level late this morning or by lunchtime, to allow specialist engineers to inspect the dam and feedback about its safety.  This inspection will have to take place before any decision regarding the return of residents can take place.

“The priority of the incident has always been the safety of the residents of Whaley Bridge and they have been incredibly resilient throughout the evacuation.  Fingers crossed for them and hopefully we can give them some good news very soon.

Over the past days the dam wall has been packed with 530 tonnes of aggregate which is now being cemented into place to reinforce the structural integrity of the dam.

Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn visited the town yesterday and praised the emergency service personnel and RAF who have worked so hard to protect the community and to the volunteers who have supported residents at this difficult time.

He also called for a public inquiry into the damaged reservoir.

The government says it is considering the option of a national review to investigate the structural safety of dams across the country,.

Defra,the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ,said the option of a review was “something to be considered” but their focus was currently concentrated on the Derbyshire town.

Saturday night saw a further 55 homes in the Horwich End, of WhaleyBridge area are being evacuated, due to a potential increase in risk of adverse weather in coming days and the ongoing risk of the Toddbrook Reservoir breaching. 

On Friday night new Prime Minister Boris Johnson flew up from London to meet residents effected by the evacuation, and to meet emergency services working to keep people safe.

At a press conference earlier on Friday, Derbyshire Police said that The structural integrity of the dam wall is still at a critical level and there is still a substantial threat to life should the dam fail.”

On Thursday 1,500 Residents of the Derbyshire village  were evacuated  after the Environmental Agency described the situation in the village as an immediate danger to life following damage to a dam.

The dam at Toddbrook reservoir has been damaged by the recent heavy rainfall after part of the wall collapsed on Thursday

The dam which supplies water into the Peak Forest Canal,holds back the River Goyt which flows in Furness Vale, New Mills, Strines, Marple, Bredbury & into Stockport so there are real concerns for severe flooding in Whaley Bridge now.

Julie Sharman, chief operating officer of the Canal and River Trust, said:

“Adding weight to the front face where the material has been lost has been a key factor. We are doing all the things we should be doing which is lowering the water as soon as possible and protecting the dam from the risk of failing.” 

She added that there will be a full investigation into the incident

 

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