DRILL testing by South West Water has now moved onto the Lawn in Dawlish ahead of a major year-long improvement scheme.

Exploratory work had started in Sandy Lane.

Now machinery and equipment on the Lawn is testing the area where a large, new storage tank is due to be situated underground to store waste water at times of peak rainfall.

This is part of the wider scheme to tackle the problems of insufficient capacity in Dawlish due to rapid growth with additional homes being built along with climate change, creating more pressure on the system.

South West Water has come under increasing criticism for using storm overflows which discharge waste water direct into rivers and the sea.

The scheme, unveiled in October, is part of a £2.8billion five-year investment programme, aimed at improving water quality.

It is expected to take between 12 and 14 months to complete, with an official start date planned for January 2025.

Commenting on the drilling taking place on the Lawn, resident Martin Ryan said: ‘As has been said “short term pain for long term gain’.

‘I would like to think that there is a sweetener from SWW to the town for all of the noise, mess, inconvenience etc. given that this project came in on a parachute without any consultation or discussion with residents other than a very inadequate presentation to tell us what will be done.’

The testing is to help design a tailor-made solution to best meet the town’s needs while minimising any disruption as much as possible.

Workers have also been drilling holes in the car park at Sandy Lane.

The exploratory drilling will give SWW a better idea of the most suitable construction method for the extensive works and a clearer timeline for the project.

It will involve constructing a separate drainage system for rainwater to reduce reliance on storm overflows. SWW head of programme delivery Mark Rands said: ‘With an increasing population and increasing heavy storm weather events, Dawlish needs to be supported. This project will improve the bathing water quality and reduce the number of storm overflow events.

‘This is a short-term development which will improve bathing water quality and make Dawlish more attractive to tourists.’

But residents and businesses are worried about the impact on the town, particularly during the summer tourist season and events planned on the Lawn.

Dawlish Chamber of Trade and Dawlish Town Council are in talks with South West Water to discuss ‘mitigations’ for traders who will be impacted while the work takes place.

Chamber chairman Colin Jolliffe is realistic about the need for the work and said that businesses, residents and local groups had come up with 85 different ideas on ways to make the most of the disruption.

Also included in the scheme are fixing problems where surface water is wrongly seeping into pipework – putting added strain on the network.