DRIVERS in Dawlish are breathing a sigh of relief after troublesome traffic lights were finally removed.

But the easing of the restrictions on the A379 at Exeter Road may be short-lived as more work is planned, possibly as early as next month.

The lights, put in place while Wales and West Utilities carried out work on a gas pipe, had caused misery for motorists with lengthy queues.

Following numerous complaints and county councillor Rosie Dawson asking Devon County Council highways officers to intervene to ease the congestion, the lights were finally removed.

Instead, Sandy Lane was closed two traffic but remains open to pedestrians with vehicle access now via Elm Grove Road.

Wales and West has apologised for the inconvenience.

But it is understood this work is part of a wider programme planned for Dawlish which could begin as early as net month.

Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller for Devon, Roxanne Whittaker, said: 'We are working in the Sandy Lane area of Dawlish to upgrade the gas network.

‘This work is essential to keep the gas flowing safely.

‘We’ve worked closely with Devon County Council to plan these works, and in order to keep the local community, road users and our colleagues safe while we work, traffic lights were put in place along Exeter Road, at its junction with Sandy Lane.

‘However, these lights have caused more disruption than we anticipated, and so at the request of the council and to try and improve traffic flow, we will instead close Sandy Lane at its junction with Exeter Road.

‘A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

‘While we are doing everything we can to minimise disruption, we would advise motorists to leave more time for travel or to take alternative routes if at all possible.

‘We are sorry for the inconvenience our work is causing.

‘We know working on roads like this is not ideal, but it really is essential to upgrade the network and to keep the gas flowing safely.’

The company had come in for fierce criticism for the way the lights were operating as drivers reported long queues on one side yet little traffic the opposite side of the lights.

The traffic control had caused major disruption and delays for anyone getting in and out of the town.

The project is to replace a 110m length of gas pipe.

According to Cllr Dawson, the point where the pipe was connected was shown on plans to be closer to the junction of the main road which meant traffic control was needed.

But the joint turned out to be closer to Sandy Lane so the lights were no longer required.

Drivers were frustrated by the traffic management system which had been in place to adjust the lights according to the build up of traffic queues either side.

Delays had caused long queues to build up along Exeter Road, tailing back as far as Langdon.

Motorists were reporting taking more than 40 minutes to travel between the Sainsbury’s store into the town while bus services were also affected.