Whaley Bridge dam: Residents ‘increasingly fed up’ as handful are allowed to return home

More than 1,500 people forced to leave homes after heavy rain causes dam to partially collapse

Hundreds of residents evacuated from their homes amid fears a dam could burst are becoming “increasingly fed up” after only a small number have so far been allowed to return.

More than 1,500 people have left their homes in Whaley Bridge since Thursday after heavy rain caused the dam to partially collapse.

Those living in about 50 properties in the Horwich End area of the Derbyshire town were told they could return home on Tuesday.

But the remaining residents were told they would have to wait until Wednesday afternoon to find out whether they too could go back.

Derbyshire Police previously said those evacuated from the town must wait until experts decide that Toddbrook Reservoir’s damaged dam is “absolutely safe”.

Representatives of the police and Environment agency said a safe water level had been reached after about 17 per cent of the reservoir’s capacity was pumped out.

Derbyshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann told a public meeting on Tuesday: “I have got a meeting at 12pm tomorrow where I am expecting we will have good news.

“We have obviously been pumping the water out and it has gone down at a fast speed. It is now beyond 9.5 metres. We will keep draining the water until it is safe to stop.

“What we need to do is just to check the reservoir is fit for when it rains again and we have got a yellow weather warning.”

Ms Swann acknowledged that residents had become “increasingly fed up” but thanked them for their co-operation and reassured them that security measures were still in force after reports of burglaries and prowlers.

Resident John Lomas, who has been able to return home, said: “It’s great to be back home. All the services guys have done an excellent job, I’m very proud of them all.”

Another returning resident, Melissa Broxup, said the last few days had been “an absolute nightmare”.

She added: “I’ve not been able to go anywhere and Whaley is so quiet. Everyone in Whaley has been amazing. It’s not easy.”

Asked what it was like to be one of the first to be let back in, she said: “It’s great. I can finally get some sleep. I just can’t wait to get back in my flat.

“I’m happy but on the other side I’m gutted for those who can’t come back.”

An RAF Chinook was again drafted in on Tuesday to help the previously dropped bags of aggregate settle into place.

Wing Commander Gary Lane, RAF regional liaison Officer for the North West, said about 100 military personnel had been brought in to help with the dam.

Ms Swann said all cordons would be lifted and roads would return to normal once the remaining residents are given the green light to return home.

Press Association contributed to this report.