Work is under way to restore the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Dawlish.

Volunteers are being trained to carry out work to reverse what campaigners have described as a ‘decade of neglect’ for Dawlish Brook.

Volunteers are being trained to carry out work to reverse what campaigners have described as a ‘decade of neglect’ for Dawlish Brook.
And people with properties alongside the brook are being reminded about their responsibilities for the stream through the centre of the town that is home to wildlife including the famous black swans.
More than 2,600 people signed petitions calling on Teignbridge Council to take action.
Community group the Friends of Dawlish Brook says it is important to keep the brook free of debris and vegetation, not only for tourists but also to reduce flood risks.
Without proper clearance, more properties in the town centre could become susceptible to flooding, and the state of the brook has made it dangerous.
The petition said: “Within living memory at least one person has fallen into the brook and perished.”
Supporters say overgrown shrubs and overhanging trees are interfering with the water flow and making the area look shabby and neglected.
Bird nesting islands are overgrown and unusable, lights are missing and the fountain hasn’t worked for years. The brook, they say, is in a ‘shocking’ state with water barely two inches deep because of silt in places.
Cllr Rosie Dawson (Lib Dem, Dawlish NE) told the council’s executive committee: “This is not just a river that runs through the town, it’s a significant tourist attraction. It’s the lifeblood of the town.”
Some campaigners want to see the brook dredged, but the Environment Agency does not recommend it.
Cllr Jackie Hook (Lib Dem, Bushell) said things had moved on since the petition was handed to the council in October, and work had begun on clearing some debris and overgrown vegetation.
A new group called Waterways Around Dawlish Environment has organised a public meeting and is seeking more volunteers to work on the brook.