FIREFIGHTERS in Newton Abbot are the latest victims of the town's roadworks gridlock, with one senior officer admitting: 'It's going to get worse before it gets better.'

Watch manager Phil Scammells said a raft of options was being considered to make sure the 999 service isn't slowed up by the increasing volume of traffic clogging up local roads ­– and impeding the efficiency of the brigade.

He said the current 'road-up' paralysis was making matters worse, although firefighters were still managing to keep within their response times despite the obstacles.

He revealed this week that one long-running problem – of getting crews from their homes to man pumps at the station – was being actively addressed with support from Newton Abbot MP Anne Marie Morris.