The Canal & River Trust charity, which cares for the Toddbrook Reservoir and 2,000 miles of waterways, has appointed Arup as the design consultants to lead on the permanent repair of the reservoir, following damage sustained to the dam’s spillway in August 2019.

Arup will devise a solution to upgrade the existing overflow system, increase the drawdown capacity, improve the dam stability and address other recommendations made to improve reservoir safety following the 2019 incident. This will allow flood flows to safely pass over the dam and water to be drained from the reservoir in an emergency.

Arup has extensive experience in delivering dam safety projects, such as Ulley Reservoir Rehabilitation in Rotherham, Yorkshire, and Lower Neuadd Reservoir Discontinuance in Powys, Wales, and will bring together leading experts from across the firm to work on the project.

The emergency temporary works to ensure the safety of the damaged spillway will be completed by Kier in early August.

Arup will develop the permanent solution, undertaking detailed design, carrying out any environmental assessments required and providing planning support ahead of construction work in spring/summer 2021.

Daniel Greenhalgh, Canal & River Trust North West regional director, said:

“Over the last year, there has been considerable work done to prepare for the permanent restoration of Toddbrook. The design consultancy Arup brings a wealth of expertise and will work closely with us to lead on this second phase of this important restoration project.

“We are currently examining a range of potential repair options and the views of local residents are a key part of the decision-making process. We are planning to host a public consultation event in late summer and then confirm the preferred option in the autumn.”

Rachel Sandham, Project Director at Arup, said: “The disruption experienced by the community last year was deeply unsettling, but our work will ensure the longevity of the dam to keep residents downstream safe. We will be working closely with The Canal & River Trust to ensure that local residents are involved in the process and we are already exploring options of virtual consultations, should social distancing measures need to remain in place in the longer-term.”