The B3191 Cleeve Hill, a vital coastal road linking Watchet and Blue Anchor in Somerset, will be permanently closed to motorised vehicles despite significant opposition from local residents. More than 1,000 people submitted objections to the plan, highlighting the road’s importance as a commuter route and alternative for holidaymakers avoiding congestion on the nearby A39.
Somerset County Council initially closed the road indefinitely in January 2023 due to severe concerns over coastal erosion. Since spring 2024, the route has remained accessible only to pedestrians and cyclists, with all motorised traffic prohibited. In May, Somerset Council—formed in April 2023 to replace the county council—announced it would make the closure permanent until funding is secured to divert the road further inland, following a similar strategy employed with the Chinnock Hollow closure near Yeovil.
Despite the strong local objection, the council confirmed on October 24 that the closure order would take effect permanently on October 31. The affected stretch extends 220 metres west from five metres beyond the Saxon Close junction to near Daws Castle. Emergency vehicles will still be permitted access if necessary.
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A council spokesperson acknowledged receiving 12 consultation responses, including nine objections and a petition with 1,089 signatures. They emphasized the closure could be reversed should funding become available, noting ongoing efforts to secure financial support from central government and local developers. The council has also contributed to the Watchet Task Force, aiding local business promotion as part of broader community support initiatives.
The Peninsula Transport sub-national transport body, encompassing Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset, has identified reopening the route as a priority within its strategic implementation plan, estimating between £20 million and £50 million will be needed to reroute the road inland and mitigate further erosion risks.
James Wright, chairman of the South West Conservative Rural Forum and lead petitioner against the closure, expressed the community’s frustration: “This isn’t just about a road. It’s about whether coastal communities get heard or ignored. Everyone I spoke to—families, older residents, local businesses—told me the same thing: this closure is hurting people.”
Rachel Gilmour, Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, has urged transport secretary Heidi Alexander to visit Watchet to witness the closure’s impact on local businesses firsthand. Gilmour commented, “While the permanent closure was inevitable due to safety risks, I will keep pressing for solutions at both national and local levels so that Watchet and Blue Anchor can have the road infrastructure they need and deserve. I will never stop championing my constituents’ interests.”