A COMPANY in Bromsgrove’s failure to maintain a reservoir it is responsible for has put nearby residents at risk and lead to the firm being prosecuted.
Blue Lagoon Heritage Ltd, of Old Marlbrook Quarry, Bromsgrove pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an enforcement notice under the Reservoirs Act 1975 at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court in early October.
This required the company to complete essential maintenance and construction works in the interests of public safety at Ward’s Reservoir in Lancashire to alleviate risks posed to the residents of the nearby village of Belmont.
The company was ordered to pay fines and costs of £5,445.
The court heard that a notice was served on the company by the Environment Agency’s National Reservoir Safety Team in May 2021 to carry out safety measures under the supervision of a qualified civil engineer.
However, the company had failed to carry out the work as of October 2021 and weekly safety checks by Environment Agency officers were started.
In June 2022, the Environment Agency intervened to protect public safety, commissioning contractors to inspect and free the outlet valve.
This allowed levels in the reservoir to be managed and maintained at 5.25m below the maximum top water level, significantly reducing its risk of failure.
In the continued absence of adequate management by the company the Environment Agency has since been conducting regular site visits and engineer safety checks to manage the risk.
Karl Hunter, enforcement advisor for the Environment Agency’s National Reservoir Safety Team, said: “Blue Lagoon Heritage Limited failed to respond to advice and enforcement.
“This caused unacceptable risks to local residents and businesses in the village of Belmont and surrounding areas downstream of the reservoir.
“Blue Lagoon Heritage Limited took ownership of Ward’s Reservoir in 2019 and has consistently failed in its legal duty to adequately protect the safety of the local community.
“We will continue to work to tackle inadequate maintenance of reservoirs which puts lives at risk. We are committed to ensuring that reservoir safety standards are adhered to.”
