Boris Johnson: Whaley Bridge dam is 'dodgy but stable'

PRIME Minister Boris Johnson tonight vowed to re-house families evacuated amid fears a damaged reservoir dam could collapse and flood the town of Whaley Bridge.

Thousands of residents are facing a second night away from their homes as police warn the dam is still at a "critical level" and there is a "substantial threat to life" should the dam wall collapse.

The PM met with families and emergency teams at a school in nearby Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Asked by one if he was taking steps so “this never happens again” Mr Johnson told them: “We are. Quite right.”

He told those inside the meeting he had flown over the dam twice and it was “dodgy but stable”.

Mr Johnson said: "I flew over the dam and it looks pretty scary. I can see the problem."

He assured residents they "will all be properly housed" if the dam burst.

It comes as cops said the wall holding back the 300-million-gallon Toddbrook Reservoir could still fail despite about 24 hours of efforts to shore it up.

Part of the dam wall collapsed on Thursday afternoon.

Hundreds of residents in the most at risk area of the Peak District town were told last night they would face arrest if they did not leave their homes as fears grow over the flooding threat.

If the dam is about to fall, police said all the emergency service vehicles will sound their horns three times as a warning and residents would have to get to higher ground.

Boris Johnson vows to re-house Whaley Bridge evacuees if dam bursts as thousands face SECOND night away from homes:


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