Traffic congestion caused by tourist coaches dropping passengers in the centre of Exmouth should be reduced this coming summer season.

Devon County Council has succeeded in making a bay available at the bus station for excursion coaches to prevent them from stopping on the roads to set down or pick up passengers.

Residents voiced their concerns about the congestion-causing coaches with Exmouth Town Council who in turn contacted the County Council.

The coaches, which belong to holiday firms rather than scheduled coach companies, were often double parking or stopping at bus stops.

Various solutions were considered until a decision was made to contact Stagecoach and ask for a bay to be made available.

Local Service Officer for the East Devon area Tony Matthews said: 'This was a small and specific problem but became a real source of frustration to local people. We are pleased that Stagecoach has been so receptive to the plan. We hope that with the co-operation of the coach operators, this will reduce the traffic problems caused in the town centre during the busy summer period.'

The facility will be available immediately and all the major coach companies will be contacted.

FOR more Devon news, order a regular copy of the Sunday Independent. FIRST. BEST. EVERY SUNDAY...