SOUTH WEST Water has started work on its multi-million pound scheme to improve water quality in Dawlish.

Engineers have moved onto the main green space, the Lawn, to begin work on the project which was due to have started in January.

It is understood existing pipework under the Lawn needs to be diverted.

It has been reported the fencing around the current work has already been breached.

One onlooker said: ‘A group of teenagers had already jumped the fence and were messing around.’

Another resident said: ‘I have to say, that living overlooking the lawn I am appalled at the mess that is being created.

‘I'm afraid I'm starting to agree the town has never looked so unkempt, what with antisocial behaviour, litter, and awful gardens the place looks a mess, and the more it looks a mess the more people won’t care.’

A spokesman for South West Water said: ‘We are carrying out work to divert a sewer as part of preparations for the wider scheme.

‘We are also carrying out some ground investigation work on the Lawn this week and next week.’

Railings have been put up around about half of the end of the Lawn near the Piazza.

The SWW scheme is aimed as reducing the use of storm overflows in Dawlish, helping to improve water quality in local rivers and the sea.

This will mean more waste water can be stored at times of heavy rainfall then treated, reducing the reliance on storm overflows in Dawlish.

Engineers have been in action across large parts of the town’s green space for the last few months.

Drill testing took place on the Lawn late last year.

Exploratory work also took place in Sandy Lane.

The scheme is aimed at tackling 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.

The scheme is part of a five-year investment programme.