Sidmouth sewers spruced up for Folk Week

A build-up of fat, food waste and other debris will be sucked from the sewers beneath Sidmouth this month.

From Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 July, South West Water's contractors Clear-flow will be cleaning out the storm storage tank beneath The Esplanade from 7pm to 11.30pm each night.

Then from Thursday 24 to Monday 28 July, Clear-flow will be cleaning the sewers in Chapel Road, Dove Lane and York Street.

There will be no road closures during the work. Temporary three-way traffic lights will be used during the work on The Esplanade.

Pedestrian access to properties and businesses will be maintained at all times, with temporary footways installed where needed.

Head of Waste Water Services Richard Gilpin said: "As well as fat and food waste, we expect to encounter lots of debris washed into the sewers during the extremely wet weather earlier this year. Removing this build-up will increase the capacity of the sewers and prevent blockages and bad smells.

"We have timed the work so that it will be finished before Sidmouth FolkWeek starts on Friday 1 August.

"We will do our best to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum, which is why we are carrying out the cleaning on The Esplanade in the evenings. In the meantime we would like to thank the people of Sidmouth for their patience while we carry out this essential work."