THE END is in sight for the South West Water project in Dawlish after more than a year during which its residents felt ‘under seige’.

Work on the multi-million pound scheme to improve water quality is due to be completed by March 31.

The project has seen numerous challenges both for engineers and for residents who have faced almost constant disruption.

Before the end, there will be further delays along the A379 as connection works are carried out.

County councillor Rosie Dawson said: ‘Given the history with water management in our area, we are eagerly awaiting completing of the vast tank scheme this spring to safeguard the public and our environment.

‘Contractors have worked hard and residents and businesses have endured much hardship over the last year of work and we welcome this investment and hopefully many more busy and safe summer seasons to come.

‘I am assured that authorities will be watching and working with SWW to ensure this scheme is successful and safely manager going forward.’

Councilors have been given a tour of parts of the works including the two tanks on the Lawn and at Sandy Lane.

Cllr Dawson described the project as ‘breathtaking’.

However, residents and traders have felt ‘under seige’ for months, not only from the SWW project but from other utility companies which have carried out work at the same time including National Grid and Wales and West Utilities.

Historian David Force said: ‘Poor signage about closed roads and diversions has caused further misery for residents and visitors alike.

‘Further chaos has been caused by the never ending convoy of lorries, trucks and vans servicing the new housing behind what was Gatehouse Farm.

‘A lot of the disruption could have been avoided if the powers-that-be had insisted on the link road being opened before Dawlish was inundated with roadworks and construction traffic.

‘The financial damage caused to traders during this work is incalculable.

‘I have never encountered such low morale among the shopkeepers in the town.

‘We can only hope and pray that the work is on schedule and will be completed in time for what has to be a bumper summer season for shops, cafes, pubs and other businesses.

‘I can only describe it as Dawlish having been well and truly under siege for months.

‘Life in Dawlish has been very tough and frustrating.’

The March 31 deadline will see a test of the whole new SWW system.

It is understood that for each week SWW runs over the deadline, it will be fined £500,000 by the Environment Agency.

Once the test has been passed, engineers and machinery will be moved out and the clearing up process will begin.

Three main areas of the town centre need to be reinstated.

The area of the Lawn where the new storm tank is installed will have to remain out of bounds to give the new grass seed time to establish.

Cllr Dawson explained: ‘The Lawn will have to be fenced off for the grass to be replenished and to allow time to grow.

‘But SWW is going hell for leather to get things done.’