CONSTRUCTION work has started on the Lawn in Dawlish for South West Water’s multi-million pound scheme to improve water quality.

Barriers have gone up across much of the green space in the centre of the town as plant equipment has moved in.

Areas of the turf have already been dug up ahead of work to build a new 2200 cubic metre storage tank underneath the Lawn.

Along with associated civil engineering work and mechanical and electrical installation works, this is expected to take until March next year to complete.

According to SWW’s schedule, until Friday May 9, work will be ongoing on sewer diversion works on the Lawn.

Until June 6, at the Lawn and the Piazza were due to be the site of what is described as ‘enabling works’ and construction of a site compound and ‘site welfare’.

Already underway is work at Sandy Lane where construction of a new 2,220 cubic metre storage tank is also due to take place.

The multi-million pound scheme is part of SWW’s aim to address storm overflow use across the region.

The company is working on ‘tailor-made’ solutions.

Once in place, the two storage tanks at the Lawn and Sandy Lane will each hold up to 2200m3 (2,200,000 litres) of storm flow at each location.

SWW says: ‘This will mean more wastewater can be stored at times of heavy rainfall then treated, reducing our reliance on storm overflows in Dawlish.

'We plan to complete the work by May 2026.

‘Once the work is complete, the investment should result in improved water quality in the sea and rivers around Dawlish.'