FUNDING is being sought to re-open a West Somerset road closed in 2023 due to fears it could fall into the sea.

In January 2023, Somerset Council closed the B3191 Cleeve Hill, near Watchet, after cliff movement was near the busy route was detected.

The closure, under a temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO), was carried out after a geotechnical survey recommended it be kept closed to ensure public safety.

Later, a detailed report found it was safe for pedestrians and cyclists to use the route – which is between Blue Anchor and Watchet – but not heavier vehicles such as cars and the order was amended.

However, almost three years on, the authority has had to implement a permanent road closure order, which will come into effect from October 31, for “as long as the road remains at risk of failure”.

Cllr Richard Wilkins, left, with John Richards from Watchet Chamber of Trade andSean Terrett from the Watchet Task Force when the route re-opened to pedestrians and cyclists

Now, Councillor Richard Wilkins, the council’s lead member for transport and waste services, has written to Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, to request funding to reinstate the road.

“We consulted our communities about the ongoing closure and they told us that it is having a major effect on the economy of Watchet including the cost to the local economy and the inconvenience in terms of hours lost in delays, the logistics of coping with delivering goods to and from Minehead as well as the negative effects on tourism,” he wrote.

The permanent TRO was approved after a public consultation run earlier this year, with a number of objections received – including a 1,000-name petition.

Pedestrians and cyclists are still allowed to use the route, with additional safety measures planned.
In his letter to the Secretary of State, Councillor Wilkins outlined community concerns that there is now only one road into Watchet over a 150-year-old bridge.

The B3191 has fallen victim to regular slippage of the cliff, with sensors in place to alert highways chiefs of movement.

Cliff protection work has been completed at Blue Anchor in order to ensure an alternative route remains available for traffic to access businesses and destinations along the road.

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Cllr Wilkins added: “We understand the strength of feeling about the B3191, but at the same time, as the highways authority, we have a statutory duty to have the appropriate order in place.

“Therefore reluctantly, we have to introduce the permanent order for the safety of the public, as this is the appropriate legal mechanism.

“There is no way to reopen the road safely for motorised vehicles without massive structural works which would require major funding.

“That is why I have written to the Secretary of State to ask for funding for this vital road to be replaced or re-routed, along with the coastal protection and stabilisation measures which would be necessary to avoid continued coastal erosion.

“I sincerely hope this can be the start of a constructive and fruitful dialogue given the urgency of the situation.

“The closure order can be reversed if funding becomes available, and we will continue to lobby hard for our local communities to ensure a solution can be found and funded.”