Residents of Watchet, a growing town in Somerset, may soon see renewed hope as plans emerge to reopen the crucial coastal route, the B3191 Cleeve Hill. This road, which connects Watchet to Blue Anchor, has long been a vital thoroughfare for commuters and holidaymakers alike, providing an essential alternative during congestion on the nearby A39 between Minehead and Williton.
The B3191 was closed indefinitely in January 2023 by Somerset County Council due to serious concerns over coastal erosion. Since spring 2024, pedestrians and cyclists have been allowed to use the route, but motor vehicles remain banned along the entire stretch. Somerset Council, which took over responsibilities in April 2023, confirmed on October 24 that the road would be permanently closed to motor traffic following Halloween, despite receiving over 1,000 objections during a recent consultation.
However, the council is now seeking government funding to restore and protect the road, estimating the needed investment at around £37 million. Councillor Richard Wilkins, responsible for transport and waste services, has written to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP emphasizing the necessity of reopening the route to support the local community and economy.
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“Our ongoing surveys show the road is unsafe due to the risk of sudden cliff failure,” said Councillor Wilkins. “Until funding is secured to reroute and stabilize the cliff and protect the road from further erosion, the closure must remain. We urgently need financial assistance to develop and deliver a scheme to reinstate this vital connection.”
Councillor Wilkins highlighted the significant impact the closure is having on Watchet and surrounding areas, citing inconveniences and economic losses for residents, businesses, and tourists. “The B3191 is crucial, especially when the A39 is closed for maintenance, accidents, or flooding,” he said. “There is now only one road into Watchet, which crosses a 150-year-old bridge. The B3191 also serves several major caravanning and camping sites, key contributors to the local economy.”
The council commissioned a 2020 study to address coastal erosion in Watchet and Blue Anchor, which led to a £3.8 million project completed in summer 2023 to protect local properties near Anchor’s Drop. The preferred solution for Cleeve Hill involves installing rock armour, local cliff stabilization using mesh and nails, and realigning the road inland.
“The original scheme was estimated at £28.2 million in 2020,” explained Mr. Wilkins, “but inflation, particularly in the construction sector, has pushed the current cost estimate close to £37 million. This is beyond the reach of our existing maintenance grants, so we are seeking Department for Transport funding support.”
The Peninsula Transport sub-national transport body, representing Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset, has identified reopening the road as a priority. The Environment Agency has already allocated about £1 million toward reinforcing the cliffs at Watchet.
Plans to realign the B3191 inland as part of a housing development on Cleeve Hill were rejected twice by Somerset West and Taunton Council, most recently in January 2023. Despite this setback, Councillor Wilkins remains optimistic. “If funding becomes available, the closure can be reversed, and we will continue to lobby hard for a solution that meets the needs of our communities.”
Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead Rachel Gilmour has pledged her full support for the council’s efforts, vowing to press ministers on the issue. “The B3191 is a vital link in west Somerset, and its closure is causing real harm to residents and businesses,” she stated. “I regret that the Transport Secretary has not visited to see the road’s condition firsthand. I am committed to backing the council’s bid for government funding to replace or reroute this essential road.”