Balmforth to lead safety review on Whaley Bridge reservoir

The government has announced Professor David Balmforth will lead the independent review into the Toddbrook reservoir incident called for in September, and published the terms of reference setting out the scope of the review.

Balmforth is a former president of the Institution of Civil Engineers and will report back to the government by the end of the year.

The review will scrutinise the events that took place in Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire in August when high water levels damaged the spillway of Toddbrook reservoir (owned by the Canal and River Trust) and led to the evacuation of local residents. It will also consider what lessons can be learned by the wider industry to ensure ongoing reservoir safety, particularly in regards to the design, maintenance and inspection of the Toddbrook reservoir; and the application and adequacy of current regulations.