SOUTH West Water is to bring in extra signage after traffic in Dawlish was described as ‘chaos’ this morning.

The water company was due to resume work in Elm Grove Road earlier today but there had been confusion over how a one-way system was to function.

Following this morning’s complaints, SWW, which is midway through a multi-million pound project aimed at improving water quality, is to address the signage.

A spokesman for SWW said: ‘We are installing additional signage on Sandy Lane and Elm Grove Drive today to make sure the diversion is as clear as possible.’

The road, which is home to Dawlish College and Gatehouse Primary School, will be subject to a one-way system and a 20mph speed limit.

Work in this area had been due to be carried out in the summer holidays but was delayed following the discovery of an unmapped gas pipe.

Now, drivers and residents are furious and say the signage is poor.

There were also claims some drivers had been ignoring the existing signs.

County councillor Rosie Dawson has been in touch with Devon County Council’s Highways Enforcement Officer.

She understood the company due to set up the temporary one way scheme this morning did not receive the full plan.

She said it was further complicated after delays by Wales&West, which is also working in the area, to move further along Sandy Lane as expected.

One angry parent said it was ‘chaos’ with people ignoring the road closed signs to drop children off and others just pulling straight out the junction of Elm Grove Drive without stopping.

They said: ‘They should have put parking restrictions in along Elm Grove Road as it’s a complete bottleneck with the parked cars and impatient parents.’

Another said: This one way was meant to start after the school run this morning, but as per they just do what they want and cause utter chaos at school drop off.

‘No signs to say to turn off at Sandy Lane if you want Gatehouse end, it’s just a joke.

‘The signage has been very poor.’

Other drivers complained there was no indication of the restrictions until actually getting to the road.

There appears to be no signage telling drivers to turn n down Sandy Lane to get to the Gatehouse end of Elm Grove Road.

One motorist said: ‘Just got caught out by this and had to go through the temporary traffic lights twice to get through. Chaos!’