Reservoir being refilled after six years of work

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 & 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."

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."

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