Plea to restore Dawlish 'jewel in the crown'

Nesting islands are overgrown, lights are missing and the fountain hasn’t worked for years.

More than 2,600 people have signed petitions calling for Teignbridge Council to reverse a decade of neglect and restore the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Dawlish.

The petitions were handed to a full meeting of the council by David Force of the Friends of Dawlish Brook.

He told councillors Dawlish would be a ‘sad little town’ if visitors who came to enjoy the brook stayed away because it is in disrepair.

Also known as Dawlish Water, the brook rises in Haldon Forest and flows through Dawlish to the sea. It is home to the town’s famous black swans and wildfowl, and a popular destination for holiday visitors.

The community group 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 centre of town could become susceptible to flooding.

And, says the petition: “Within living memory at least one person has fallen into the brook and perished.

“Because the council has failed to attend to the clearance of debris for at least 10 years the present situation has become of serious concern to us all.

“We therefore put the council under notice that it has a responsibility for making safe the public spaces of Dawlish town centre, in particular the area of the Dawlish Brook.”

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.

Mr Force told the meeting the brook is the town’s ‘jewel in the crown’ and key to attracting visitors.

He went on: “Teignbridge says it can’t really afford to do anything. I’d say it can’t really afford not to. If we lose the visitors who come for our brook, we are going to be a sad little town.”

The Friends of Dawlish Brook are holding a public meeting next month to recruit volunteers to carry out light maintenance.