Chasewater dam collapse could kill 'up to 80 people'

A DAM holding back a billion gallons of Chasewater Reservoir is leaking, putting lives at risk and jeopardising roads, railways and the Midlands' canal network.

A report from Lichfield District Council warns that if the structure fails 'quickly and catastrophically', up to 80 people could die and the homes of more than 2,000 others would be affected.

Experts estimate a wave of water up to five metres high and a kilometre wide, flooding downstream at 12mph, could swamp nearby settlements – causing more than £100m in damage.

Engineers have recommended 'urgent and extensive' work begins immediately on the two earth-filled dams, which date back to 1799.

"We have been working with leading dam engineers to plan the works, which are set to cost the council more than £3.5m," said Councillor David Smith, leader of Lichfield District Council.

"This is an extraordinary burden for such a small district council, and its 40,000 council tax payers, to bear.

"If we have to find this money without external help, it will, without doubt, impact on other key services we deliver to our communities.

"Because of this we are calling on the Government and other regional organisations to help us fund the works."

The reservoir, at Chasewater Country Park, is critical to the region's infrastructure and is the primary source of water for over 49 miles of canal network through to the Black Country.

One of the largest reservoirs in the West Midlands, Chasewater is also a secondary source for another 20 miles of regional canals.

Although the council does not own or control the water, it is responsible for it and the dams under the 1975 Reservoirs Act.

The council has already invested over £750,000 to determine the scale of the work needed.

An engineer's report concluded that water is seeping through the main 560-metre long eastern dam, as well as pointing out problems with existing overflow structures and culverts.

"If the eastern dam failed quickly and catastrophically, a risk assessment has suggested that it could lead to a loss of nearly 80 lives, could affect the homes of over 2,000 people and cause around £105m damage," the report warns.

"It would release a wave of water, potentially up to five metres in height and up to one kilometre wide, which would flow downstream at a rate of around 12 mph.

"It's likely that the regional transport network would suffer considerable damage, including the M6 Toll, the A5, the A38 and the Cross City railway line.

"If the western embankments were breached, there would be an uncontrollable surge of water through parts of Norton Canes.

"Neither dam is likely to fail without warning but there would be limited opportunity, between the first signs of failure and ultimate collapse, to take any remedial action."

Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant locked horns with the Prime Minister in Parliament asking that the cost of the work be 'spread over the region as a whole'.

Gordon Brown responded: "Of course I will be happy to consider his point although I see that he is making the case for public expenditure."

"This is one of the briefest, crass, insensitive and flip replies that I have ever heard from a Prime Minister to such a serious question," said Mr Fabricant, who has sent a follow-up letter to Mr Brown.

"I hope that in due course I will receive a more constructive reply than I did in the House of Commons chamber."