Residents and visitors of west Somerset face a summer of uncertainty as they await the decision on a crucial £41 million bid aimed at reopening a key coastal road that has been closed since early 2023. The B3191 Cleeve Hill, situated between Watchet and Blue Anchor, has long served as an essential diversion route for holidaymakers whenever the A39 between Minehead and Williton became congested.
However, the road was indefinitely closed in January 2023 by Somerset County Council over concerns about coastal erosion, leaving just a single access route in and out of Watchet’s town centre. This alternative route relies on a 150-year-old bridge spanning the West Somerset Railway heritage line, raising worries about its reliability and capacity.
Following the establishment of Somerset Council in April 2023, the authority announced in late April that it would submit a bid to the government’s £1 billion structures fund. The objective is to either reinforce the current road or relocate it further inland to ensure safety and long-term use.
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This bid has now been formally submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT). Tiverton and Minehead MP Rachel Gilmour has written a strongly worded letter to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander in support of the scheme, emphasising its significance for the local community and economy.
Residents of Watchet are expected to learn the outcome of the funding application in the autumn, with plans aiming for any new or improved infrastructure to be implemented by 2030.
In her letter dated 27 July, Mrs Gilmour expressed her “strongest possible support” for Somerset Council’s proposal, describing it as “of critical importance to the communities, businesses and economy of Watchet and the wider west Somerset area.” She highlighted that Watchet currently depends on a single vehicular access point via an ageing bridge, which leaves the town vulnerable to disruptions caused by incidents, maintenance work, flooding, or traffic congestion.
She also noted the importance of the B3191 in supporting west Somerset’s tourism-dependent economy. The road provides access to holiday parks, caravan sites, camping facilities, and visitor attractions vital to the local hospitality sector. Maintaining reliable access to Watchet, a historic harbour town, is essential for sustaining its prosperity.
Local representatives have consistently raised concerns that the current diversion is unsuitable for larger vehicles such as coaches and caravans, imposing additional strain on surrounding rural roads. Mrs Gilmour stressed that this situation affects local confidence, investment, and economic growth in a region already challenged by limited wages, employment options, and connectivity.
Since spring 2024, the B3191 has been accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, but a public consultation led to its permanent closure to motor vehicles in October 2025. The council’s plans, based on a 2020 study by WSP, involve realigning the carriageway inland nearer the railway line and installing additional rock armour at the cliff base to mitigate further erosion.
Mrs Gilmour emphasised that the scheme transcends simply replacing a road; it represents a critical investment in safeguarding the future of a coastal community. She believes it exemplifies government priorities focused on economic growth, resilience, and supporting communities that might otherwise be neglected. She urges the DfT to consider the bid favourably, noting widespread support among local residents, businesses, community leaders, and elected representatives across west Somerset.
The council estimates the total project cost at approximately £40.8 million. It anticipates that 90 per cent (around £36.7 million) will be provided by the DfT’s structures fund, with Somerset Council contributing five per cent itself (just over £2 million), and the Environment Agency supplying the remaining five per cent.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for highways and transport, acknowledged the competitive nature of the funding process and said there was no guarantee of success. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism and stressed the importance of securing this funding as it provides the first real opportunity to restore this vital route since its closure in 2023. The council remains committed to pushing hard for the scheme’s approval.
The Department for Transport is expected to announce the successful bids within the next three months, with the outcome keenly awaited by the communities of west Somerset.