The B3191 Cleeve Hill coastal road between Watchet and Blue Anchor, a crucial alternative for holidaymakers when the A39 is congested, has been closed indefinitely since January 2023 due to coastal erosion concerns. This closure by Somerset County Council—now Somerset Council—has limited access to Watchet, forcing residents and visitors to rely on a single route involving a century-and-a-half-old bridge over the West Somerset Railway heritage line.
In April 2023, Somerset Council announced plans to bid for £40 million from the government’s structures fund aiming either to reinforce the existing road or relocate it further inland. Although some local Conservative figures, including James Wright of the Conservative Rural Forum, have accused the council of mismanagement and risk of missing bid deadlines, the council has firmly denied these claims. They confirmed they remain on track to submit the final proposal by August 3, with a Department for Transport decision expected before Christmas.
While the road has been reopened to pedestrians and cyclists since spring 2024, motor vehicles must still use the longer A39 route and narrow roads near Old Cleeve. In October 2025, the council confirmed the permanent closure of the road to motorised traffic despite over 1,000 objections from local residents.
Both local Conservative and Liberal Democrat representatives have actively campaigned for the reopening of the road, either as a discrete project or as part of the wider west Somerset tidal lagoon initiative supported by Tiverton and Minehead MP Rachel Gilmour. Gilmour has publicly called on the Labour government to address the closure’s negative economic impact, describing it as a significant block to local development.
Communication from Mike O’Dowd-Jones, the council’s service director for infrastructure and transport, reveals ongoing work to finalize the business case and ensure the economic consequences of the road’s closure are thoroughly captured to inform government decision-makers. Despite some concern over engagement plans, technical progress is reported to be steady, with consultancy support from WSP nearing agreement.
Somerset Council emphasizes its commitment to reopening the road to motor traffic and assures the community that the bid process is progressing well and will meet the government’s deadline. The council acknowledges the road’s importance for local businesses, families, and visitors and remains dedicated to restoring this essential route.