COACH drivers bringing day trippers to Dawlish are struggling to park as work continues on South West Water’s multi-million scheme to improve water quality.

Previously, coach drivers would drop visitors in the town centre before heading out of town to park their vehicles at Sandy Lane.

But work is currently underway to build a large, underground storage tank at Sandy Lane capable of holding up to 2,200,000 of storm flow.

SWW’s plan is to be able to store more wastewater at times of heavy rainfall which can then be treated, reducing the reliance on storm overflows.

However, while the work is ongoing, engineers and equipment are using a large part of the Sandy Lane car park.

This now means not only do coaches have nowhere to park up for the day, there is insufficient space for the vehicles to turn around.

This has meant some coaches have been parking in the town centre for prolonged periods of time.

Some have been parking in Piermont Place, directly in front of several cafes with pavement seating areas.

One resident said: ‘Coaches are just parking outside SeaView and making it unpleasant for those sitting enjoying lunch or a drink.’

Another suggested there should be a minimum 30 minute waiting time limit to drop off and pick up passengers.

But Dawlish is a popular day trip for visitors and summer trade could be affected if the situation for coach parking is not resolved.

Town, district and county councillor Rosie Dawson said: ‘We were informed that SWW were going to use half the car park but it looks like there are only four spaces free now.

‘Coaches could go to Dawlish Warren but the parking there is not specifically for coaches.

‘The problem at Sandy Lane is there is not enough turning space even if there were room for coaches to park there.

‘Communication should be clearer.’

However, Cllr Dawson said she did not believe the massive project was deterring people from visiting Dawlish, despite the upheaval.

She said: ‘When I have spoken to people on day trips who ask what is going on, they seem to be really glad something is being done.

‘I am not going to say it won’t put some people off and we have got a couple of business which are going to struggle to get through this.

‘But we do need more communication when things are going to change and it shouldn’t be the first we hear about it is when there is a huge amount of disruption.’

A spokesman for SWW said: ‘We worked with Teignbridge District Council and it was agreed that most of the carpark spaces would be needed during the works.

‘However, we have done our best to reduce the space we use as much as possible to reduce disruption and we are looking to repaint the remaining area to maximise car parking spaces.

‘The council is currently looking into other locations for coaches to park and we will support with this.’

Teignbridge Council has been approached for a comment.

South West Water says it plans to complete the scheme by May 2026.