Toddbrook Reservoir Emergency

The Scope

On the 1st August 2019 concerns were raised about the condition of the earth dam at Toddbrook Reservoir above Whaley Bridge which has a capacity of 1.3M m3. Part of the dam spillway started to break up and a full emergency water draw down was initiated by CRT & Kier. The main parts of the town were evacuated as a precaution whilst the Emergency Services, Royal Airforce and Kier stabilised the situation with drops of bagged aggregate from Chinook Helicopters.

The Challenge

Vertical Access was contacted by Kier’s framework contractor CPC Ltd on the 8th of August for an urgent mobilization to provide Working at Heights services to aid the recovery phase of the operation. The company had previously undertaken a series of slope stabilization projects on canals for CRT, including an emergency at Middlewich where a canal embankment had collapsed. Mobilizing operations in such a short time frame is a well-practiced procedure, benefiting from close client relationships to ensure the right personnel, equipment, materials, support services, and documentation are provided to meet the requirements of these emergencies.

Our Response

Following an urgent request from CPC Civils, Vertical Access mobilised a specialist rope access team and equipment within hours to support the emergency response and ongoing stabilisation works.

Working across the exposed dam walls and spillway, the team installed safety fencing and signage, undertook trial coring to establish concrete depths and areas of delamination, and excavated trial holes to support further investigation of the structure.

Vertical Access also assisted with the installation of critical temporary infrastructure, securing lay-flat high-pressure pipework across the dam wall and spillway and installing and connecting new pumps supplied by Kier/CPC.

Rope access techniques allowed the team to safely and efficiently reach areas that had become exposed following the emergency drawdown of the reservoir. Working at Height training and supervision were also provided to support other personnel involved in the recovery operation.

Drawing on previous experience working with the Canal & River Trust and established emergency response procedures, the team was able to adapt quickly as requirements developed on site. Vertical Access continued to support the subsequent repair and restoration works alongside the Canal & River Trust, Kier and the wider project team.

Outcome & Feedback

The dam was made safe, the emergency order was rescinded, and residents were allowed to return to their properties. Vertical Access has since been involved in the ongoing repairs and restoration of the reservoir by the Canals & Rivers Trust and Kier, reinforcing their reputation for reliability and expertise in critical situations.