Reopening the vital B3191 coastal road between Blue Anchor and Watchet in Somerset is emerging as a critical priority in the county’s revised local transport plan. The road, closed indefinitely in January 2023 by Somerset County Council due to coastal erosion, has become a major issue for residents and commuters alike.
Somerset Council’s updated transport strategy includes numerous initiatives aimed at improving the region’s road, rail, walking, and cycling networks. However, local councillor Sarah Wakefield, who oversees adults’ services, housing, and homelessness, has made a strong case for prioritizing the reopening of the B3191. She described its closure as a “major transport issue” that forces motorists to take lengthy detours.
The B3191 on Cleeve Hill once served as a valuable diversion route, particularly during congested times on the A39 between Minehead and Williton. While pedestrians and cyclists have been able to use the path again since spring 2024, motor vehicles remain prohibited along the entire stretch.
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In October 2025, the newly formed Somerset Council confirmed a permanent ban on motorized traffic along the B3191, despite over 1,000 local objections during consultation. The council plans to submit a £37 million funding bid to the Department for Transport to explore options to reverse the closure.
At a transport policy meeting in Taunton on April 8, Cllr Wakefield emphasized the necessity of reopening the road. She called on the council to embed this goal within the transport plan, highlighting the inconvenience caused to people forced to drive miles between Watchet and Blue Anchor.
Currently, the local transport plan scarcely references the B3191 or Blue Anchor, mentioning Watchet only briefly among a list of village communities. This omission has drawn criticism from groups such as the Minehead and Watchet Bus Users Group, who say Somerset’s coastal towns are being overlooked despite clear transport needs, especially for young people and key workers requiring access to hospitals, education, and employment.
Senior transport officer Matthew Prince acknowledged the community’s concerns, expressing commitment to addressing connectivity issues through ongoing community consultations and integrating feedback into the strategy. Parish councils and local networks are being surveyed to identify critical transport connections and frustrations, guiding future improvements.
The council aims to finalize and approve the local transport plan by the end of the year, with stakeholders hoping the reopening of the B3191 will be secured as a key objective.