SOUTH West Water has bowed to complaints and pushed back the date for the closure of a road which is home to two Dawlish schools.

The water company, which is currently carrying out a multi-million pound scheme to improve water quality in the town, had been due to close Elm Grove Road starting from July 14.

The date had been brought forward from the original date of July 28.

But the road is used by hundreds of children attending Dawlish College and Gatehouse Primary School, which, along with numerous houses, are situated along the road.

County Councillor Rosie Dawson called on SWW ‘to stick to its promises about not closing Elm Grove Rd in term time’.

She said she was ‘furious’ to find out the work, which had been promised to be during the school holidays, was starting earlier.

She said: ‘We cannot further compromise safety in this area for more than 900 children that attend various schools.’

Fellow county councillor for Exminster Alan Connett agreed saying: ‘Students from my area attend Dawlish College too and I share the view very much this work should be in school holidays.’

Concerns were raised about access for school buses and traffic problems with the diversion route along Elm Grove Drive often made difficult due to parked vehicles.

Cllr Dawson thanked SWW for ‘going back to the original agreement’ and working quickly to resolve the problem.

A spokesman for South West Water said: ‘We’re pleased we’ve been able to confirm the temporary closure of Elm Grove Road will not take place until the school holidays which was always our plan.

‘We really do appreciate how patient everyone is being while we carry out this work.’

SWW said there had been concerns over a potential clash with Dawlish Celebrate Carnival and the road closure date had been brought forward

The spokesman added: ‘However, following close liaison with all stakeholders, the road closure will still go ahead on the original dates of July 28 to August 27 as planned.’