DEDICATED volunteers have begun the long-awaited project to clear the main Dawlish waterway.

The Brook has been the subject of criticism and complaints over its appearance and condition, particularly a large build-up of sediment which became known as the town’s newest ‘beach’.

Now 14 members of the team of trained volunteers, working as part of the group WADE Waterways Around Dawlish Environment, has taken to the water to begin the task of reducing the size of the large ‘island’ in the bay above Jubilee Bridge.

They have also dug a channel to make walking on the raised area less appealing.

The operation had to wait until the end of the fish spawning season to ensure fish eggs or baby fish were not disturbed.

A Government flood risk activity exemption was applied for to remove the accumulated silt and sand from the bed along an area of 20 metres of river.

Volunteers were tasked with ensuring the sediment disturbance was kept to a minimum and that lower parts of the Brook were unaffected.

Before work started, a risk assessment was carried out along with an ecological sweep identifying wildlife both in the bay where work was to be undertaken and those further down.

A review will now be carried out to gauge success, and to see whether the public still walk on it in which case the channel may have to be widened.

A gazebo found lodged in accumulated sediment under the bridge was also removed.

Cllr Scott Williams, founder of WADE, said: 'I’m so proud of all the volunteers, they accomplished so much, much more than i expected.

‘The way we worked meant we kept disturbance to a minimum.

‘Fantastic work, I really hope the public appreciate what we are trying to achieve.’

Volunteer Cllr Rosie Dawson added: ‘I can’t believe how much you all did, absolutely outstanding.

‘It will be interesting to see what Mother Nature thinks of the changes.’