More facts have emerged to the content of the programme scheduled for Monday evening next. British Waterways was indeed contacted to help Dispatches on a report on last Summer's floods. Dispatches took particular interest in Edgbaston Reservoir (Rotton Park) and were provided with full access to the reservoir's last two independent inspection reports. Their interest in this reservoir appears has less to do with safety but more concerns to do with its proximity to a large built-up area. This allows them to illustrate in a sensationalist way the results of a hypothetical dam break. This outcome may not concur with more informed minds one what would happen given reality and the realistic damage and water content released.DO THEY THINK A TSUNAMI DOWN THE MAIN LINE WILL OCCUR??
Whilst I understand their desire to take this "approach" to boost ratings figures, it is a regret that their portrayal of Edgbaston will be in this manner. My own belief is that the damage would be localised, the water has TWO escape routes to the wide and deep main line, obvious overflow points are Hockley and Farmers Bridge in the first instance. Any device used to destroy the dam would probably create more damage locally than the water, however that is my opinion. It is understood a statement from BW to Channel 4 is roughly as follows: "Edgbaston Reservoir is routinely inspected by independent experts, is maintained to modern safety standards and is fully compliant with the requirements of the Reservoirs Act. The dam structure is in good condition and, at a 1 in 17,000-year likelihood, has a much lower risk of failure than, for example, the Thames Barrier." For your information, reservoirs of this size are covered by the Reservoirs Act 1975 and British Waterways is required to commission inspections by independent experts and to carry out whatever safety- related works are recommended by the inspectors. We also carry out twice-weekly surveillance inspections of the structure with additional inspections every six months by chartered engineers appointed under the Reservoirs Act. British Waterways is fully compliant with the Reservoirs Act and in the case of Edgbaston Reservoir is implementing the independent inspector's safety recommendation well within the timescale required. Furthermore we have measures in place to carry out a controlled draining of the reservoir in the event of any structural problems that might be identified during regular surveillance inspections. Given that BW have issued a statement simply underlines the need to think of the outcome of this type of programme. What is being "advertised" is to many viewers a new angle on threats to the general public, ones which may have never crossed the minds of extremists and the like before, yet may be close at hand. You may wish to contact Channel 4 on this topic: This is from their website: How do I make a complaint to Channel 4? Category: General | Sub Category: Making a complaint Channel 4 welcomes feedback from our viewers and customers. If you are unhappy with any aspect of Channel 4, please use the Contact Us form. Making a complaint about advertising on our channels: Channel 4 only transmit advertisements which have been examined and cleared for transmission via the BACC. If you have a complaint about the content of an advertisement, this should be directed to the Advertising Standards Authority who investigate and adjudicate on complaints for all forms of broadcast advertising. Adverting Standards Authority Mid City Place 71 High Holborn London WC1V 6QT Telephone 020 7492 2222 Textphone 020 7242 8159 Fax 020 7242 3696 If you wish to make Channel 4 aware of your complaint as well, please fill in the complaints form at http://www.channel4.com/contact/ and this will be logged and passed on to our Advertising Sales Department for their information. If your complaint is about a Channel 4 trailer, rather than a product advertisement, then please use the complaints form as listed above and we will ensure it is logged and passed on to those responsible for our marketing activity. Go back to General Help Home http://www.channel4.com/index.html
