Bid to preserve ‘iconic’ reservoir spillway backed by archaeologists

Butterley Reservoir spillway at Marsden, near Huddersfield, was built between 1891 and 1906 and was given Grade II listed status in the 1980s.

Yorkshire Water wants to upgrade the overflow structure for safety reasons but the plans to replace stones with concrete have prompted criticism.

Save Butterley Spillway group is gathering evidence and support ahead of plans being submitted to Kirklees Council next year.

The latest group to back the campaign is the Association for Industrial Archaeology whose members have contacted the campaign which is also backed by The Victorian Society and others.

Diane Ellis, of Save Butterley Spillway, welcomed the backing of archaeologists.

“Three high profile national conservation organisations have now pledged their support for the campaign to save Butterley Spillway.

“They have put their weight behind calls to Yorkshire Water to find an alternative to tearing out the unique stone-built Victorian structure and replacing it with reinforced concrete.”

Yorkshire Water has stated that the spillway would retain its “iconic appearance”.