“I would like to thank all staff who are working long, hard hours at the scene; the community in Whaley Bridge that has shown such resilience and spirit in this unprecedented position; and the wider public for their continued support in our work.”
Those were the words of Derbyshire Constabulary’s Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann yesterday (August 04) as the multi-agency effort to stabilise the dam wall at Toddbrook Reservoir continued following a rupture on Thursday.
Water is being removed from the reservoir to reach a level that will allow engineers to view the damage. Meanwhile, according to the police force, 530 tonnes of aggregate being cemented into place will reinforce the structural integrity of the spillway.
At the same time, the Environment Agency (EA) is closely monitoring the flood risk and the flow of water into the River Goyt and surrounding water courses. On Saturday, EA chair Emma Howard Boyd joined new Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers in visiting Whaley Bridge.
“Real progress has been made, and after seeing our pumps and the RAF (Royal Air Force) Chinooks at work today (August 03), I am confident we are doing all we can to lower the water levels and secure the dam,” commented Howard Boyd.
Villiers, who met with the emergency response teams, stated on Saturday: “I want to thank all emergency services, military personnel, Environment Agency, and volunteers for their continued hard work. I am confident that everything that can be done is being done and I’ve seen a reassuring amount of progress today.”
Swann, meanwhile, has stressed that the situation at the reservoir is still critical and the threat to life remains very high. Approximately 1,500 people have been evacuated.
Allianz UK – which on Friday announced a lower operating profit for the first half of 2019, at £85.8 million – was among those who have offered assurances to clients following the incident.
“We have established 33 customers are at risk in the surrounding area to Whaley Bridge,” said head of operations for claims Jeremy Trott.
“Our team is working with our loss adjustors who are already on site and available to help customers. Key suppliers have also been contacted and are ready to give their support if needed.
Trott added that, should the worst happen, Allianz UK will be working with customers to help them get back up and running as quickly as possible.
