Whaley Bridge - Toddbrook Reservoir Damage

[Drago]

Anyone who uses the A59 between Clitheroe and Preston will have spotted the new housing estate on Mitton Road outside Whalley. It's right on the river Ribble flood plain.

But that's okay because they've built a levee to keep the river out, and in case that gets overwhelmed they've dug a drainage pond with a pump in it. Which is fine until that big storm comes and the power fails.....

There was terrible flooding in Northampton in 1998. Since then they've built a vast housing estate kn the flood plain. "That's ok, it won't flood again..." they said. Yeah, right.

 

[fossyant]

Not my pictures, but it's a big 'ole ! Given the size of those bags !!

 

[Globalti]

Dunno what they think those bags will do... if the spillway gets the volumes we saw on TV in that bit of amateur footage the bags will disappear fast.

 

[Drago]

I wonder if they are intended to add back some of the missing mass to support the wall of the dam facing the water?

They need to get Network Rail engineers in. Remember when that bit of railway was washed into the sea in Devon a few years back? They did a tremendous job repairing that.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

All the houses built on flood plains are required to have their floors fitted with stainless steel screws so they can be easily lifted and replaced after a flood. Normally they're nailed or use glue and galvanised screws.

Good for me because I supply stainless steel screws which cost 4 times as much

 

[Drago]

I have been in a couple of the local flood plain houses, mainly when I was a copper. The electrical sockets are about a metre from the floor. Someone tried to tell me that's a disability thing, but that's guff - the sockets on the first floor are down at the regular level.

 

[tom73]

There was terrible flooding in Northampton in 1998. Since then they've built a vast housing estate kn the flood plain. "That's ok, it won't flood again..." they said. Yeah, right.

The ones at the back of us have a permeant flowing water course running down one side. In an effect to milk the land to the max. They've build right up to edge of the bank. One was a little too close they had to rebuild one side. The official word is the wall was not to spec. Oh yes what ever it was clear to us locals way. A massive earth bank has now been added down one side on that row of houses. Nothing is holding it up though and the water still at times get's high up.

The other thing is the land was for years a dumping ground for a nearby coking works. But they say it's fine and safe the soil coming up don't look right to me. Even the guys going the drains don't like it or the smell when working deep down.

Many years ago we had relatives who owned a farm they retied with the son taking on the farm. They applied to build a small cottage on the farm so they could still live on it. No came the reply it's green belt. Now look at it we have homes being thrown up on any land going no matter if it's suitable or not.

 

[fossyant]

Dunno what they think those bags will do... if the spillway gets the volumes we saw on TV in that bit of amateur footage the bags will disappear fast.

Temporary job I suppose.

They will have to drain the res right down, then probably remove and replace the whole spilway.

 

[fossyant]

The Mersey at Didsbury should look like below. The Goyt flows into this about 3 miles further upstream.

The lower path is flooded, and only the upper path is usable at present (there are people in the background on the higher path). There are flood plains around here that can be opened up.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

The local evening news said the dam was built in 1838. The town and/or earlier settlements will have been there for centuries. Surely the question is what idiot would build a reservoir above and on the doorstep of a town? Apparently the major issue is the wall construction which is simply earth covered with concrete. If the concrete fails or water gets underneath the soil will eventually wash away and further weaken the dam wall till it collapses.

Victorian money magnets were more interested in making money than worrying about a few hundred poor people living below a structure they wanted to build, they were just collateral damage.

 

[Globalti]

The dam was built to supply water to the canal. The town arrived later when the canal brought jobs and money. Houses were built right downstream of the dam.... so just as silly as today's estates on flood plains

 

[Deleted member 26715]

The dam was built to supply water to the canal. The town arrived later when the canal brought jobs and money. Houses were built right downstream of the dam.... so just as silly as today's estates on flood plains

Same rules apply, those who are building, those who give planning permission, those who are saying we need more housing will not be the ones living in the areas affected.

 

[Drago]

And flood plain land is cheaper than virgin land or even brownfield sites in prime locations, so guess which developers prefer?

 

[Globalti]

It's one part of British life where cronyism is still thriving unhindered by ABC laws.

 

[Globalti]

The dodges and tricks are well-practiced and familiar to anybody involved in property development. For example, you want to build 100 houses on a greenfield site. Start by promising to upgrade local roads, crossings etc. Apply for planning permission for 180 houses knowing you'll be knocked back to 100. Bingo, you're in the money.