MONDAY 5 AUGUST 2019

Threat to Whaley Bridge not

over, says fire chief

Engineers assess the damaged spillway at the Toddbrook Reservoir (AFP/Getty)

COLIN DRURY

The firefighter in charge of preventing a dam bursting over a Peak District village has spoken of his fear the
entire structure could collapse – and said the danger was not yet over.

Gavin Tomlinson, deputy chief officer of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, is leading ongoing efforts to
secure Toddbrook Reservoir after its spillway wall gave way, threatening an inundation of Whaley Bridge
below.

Some 1,500 residents have been evacuated from the area since Thursday, but police officers said some had
returned to their homes against official advice.

Residents were allowed back to the town in a controlled manner to pick up essentials and find their pets.
But some have stayed in their homes. A police officer said residents of 22 homes remained in Whaley

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