Last updated on: 21 June 2021
Q: What is happening in Dawlish?
A: As part of an ongoing commitment to protect the environment, reduce pollution and protect the bathing waters in the area, we will be completing essential work in Dawlish to upgrade parts of the sewerage network.
Q: Why are you carrying out the work and what will it involve?
A: The work will involve installing new pipes to remove surface water from the existing sewer system to alleviate floods and spills during periods of wet weather. The bathing waters in Dawlish are currently classed as ‘excellent’ but without this work the bathing waters in the area are predicted to fall below this standard over the next few years, which will be a detriment to the environment and could impact the local economy.
Q: When is work due to start and finish?
A: We will be setting up our site compound and offices off Empsons Hill on Monday 7 June 2021. Please be assured that this is a temporary compound and not a development of this site.
Construction work will begin on private land on Tuesday 8 June 2021 and is due to be completed in April 2022.
Our working hours will be Monday to Friday 7:00am to 7:00pm. However due to the nature of the engineering it may be necessary to work outside of these times occasionally. We will inform you in advance if we need to plan any out of hours works.
Q: Will there be any road closures during the works?
A: Due to the narrow roads in Dawlish we will have to close the roads we are working on from August 2021 as it will not be possible to pass by the works safely. You will receive advance notice from us if your road is affected and you can refer to the programme of works near the top of this page for closure dates.
Please note that these dates may be subject to change and updates will be made to this page with more information.
Q: Will there be any parking restrictions during this period?
A: We may need some temporary parking restrictions to move machinery and large vehicles to and from the site. Please observe any restrictions or traffic management in place so that the works can be completed as quickly as possible.
Q: Will I have access to my property during your works?
A: We will ensure that pedestrian access to your property is always maintained.
Q: What about access for buses, bin collections and emergency vehicles?
A: All service providers have been informed of the work and emergency services will always be given access.
Q: Will my wastewater drainage be affected during this work?
A: Restrictions on usage will not usually be necessary.
Q: Will there be a smell as you are working on a sewer?
A: The new water main will carry surface water only and is not expected to cause any odour issues.
Q: Haven’t you already done an upgrade in Dawlish?
A: In 2019 we completed the second phase of a scheme to upsize the sewerage network in the Shutterton area. The first phase of the scheme saw nearly 400 metres of pipework upsized and manholes upgraded to increase the resilience of the sewer network in the Shutterton area. The second phase was to increase the capacity of storage at Shutterton Sewage Pumping Station.
The essential work we are about to start is to install new pipes to remove surface water from the existing sewer system to alleviate floods and spills during periods of wet weather and is separate to the previous scheme.
Q: Where can I find more information?
A: Regular updates and further information will be available on this page and you will be able to see at the top of the Q&A when it was last updated. If you have any further questions or concerns, you can contact our Customer Liaison Officer, Rachael Hawkins on 07483 051707 or our Services Helpline on 0344 346 2020 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and for emergencies only outside of these times.
