WORK in Dawlish to install a shaft into which a huge storm water storage tank will be lowered is due to start next week.

South West Water has told Dawlish Town Council that the projected start date for installation of the shafts, both on the Lawn and in Sandy Lane is the week of July 14.

Town councillors were given a detailed update on progress of the multi-million pound scheme to tackle storm overflows and improve water quality.

Both underground tanks will hold up to 2,200,000 litres of storm flow.

This will allow more wastewater to be stored at times of heavy rainfall, then treated, reducing the reliance on storm overflows in Dawlish.

Video company Coast Cams has been brought in to provide video footage of the scheme as it progresses.

Ahead of the shaft work, the area in the compound on the Lawn has been firmed up for general parking and the area surrounding the position of the shaft to support a crane.

Permanent cabins and a small office for a gateman are to be sited at the exit on to Piermont Place and a new Tarmac entrance is being formed from Piermont through the Piazza.

The bus stop will remain in place but the footpath adajcent to the mini golf will be closed.

The mini golf itself will be cleared and hoardings put in place to prepare for new tanks and horizontal drills to the Lawns.

A permanent hoarding will be put up to include banners and signs promoting local businesses and events.

At Sandy Lane, a new screen chamber is to be erected before the shaft installation and semi-permanent hoarding and gates to the compound area will be put up.

The projected start date for work at Sandy Lane is also the week commencing July 14.

In Brook Street work is due to start on trial holes and bore holes at the location of the new tank.

So far, the work which has been completed includes ground investigation and trial holes at Sandy Lane and the Lawn and on Brunswick Place.

A temporary compound has been set up to support the on-going sewer diversion on the Lawn.

Work to divert a sewer has finished and construction of access onto the Lawn from Piermont Plan including pavement alterations has also finished.

The flagpole has also had to be moved and the flower planter has been removed from the Piazza to create an access road for vehicles to the compound.

Trial holes have been carried out at Sandy Lane and a 150mm sewer has been diverted across the car park.

The shelter on the Lawn has had to be moved but is now back in use and diversion of the sewer on the Lawn has been completed.

Consultants have been brought in to ‘interact’ with the Environment Agency about working within the Dawlish flood plain.

And there will be monitoring of noise, vibration and dust once construction starts.