IMPATIENT motorists have been criticised for driving up on pavements to avoid roadworks on a Dawlish street.

Restrictions are in place on Elm Grove Road due to urgent work by South West Water.

But there have been reports of drivers mounting the pavement, on the wrong side of the road, to get through rather than use the organised diversion route.

Now, county councillor Rosie Dawson has warned: ‘Driving on pavements is not OK.

‘I have reported this to highways to get contractors to either hard close the road asap or urgently review management.’

The urgent work started yesterday and is scheduled until November 18.

Signs are clearly in place warning the road is closed.

But some drivers, seeing the barriers do not take up the whole width of the road, have tried to squeeze through by mounting the pavement opposite.

One resident pleaded: ‘The road is closed, stop using the pavement and follow the diversions like everyone else.’

Another pointed out: ‘The road was closed last night with signs either side. People just took it upon themselves to drive by.’

The road signs say it is closed except for access.

The works have caused further delays partly due to school pick up and drop off.

And the access sign has caused some confusion with one resident stating: ‘The signs actually said Road Closed except for access.

‘There are now several hundred houses that are accessed along Elm Grove Road, so had every right to use that road.’

But another pointed out: ‘Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.’