Government backs multi-million pound bid to reopen B3191 near Watchet
The road has been been closed since January 2023 because of concerns over cliff movement
Somerset Council’s efforts to bring reopen a vital road near Watchet have cleared the first hurdle.
The Department for Transport has confirmed it will support the council on plans for a bid worth up to £40m to reinstate the B3191 Cleeve Hill road.
The road has been closed since January 2023 after cliff movement near the road was detected.
The council say a further geotechnical survey recommended it be kept closed to ensure the safety of the public.
A later report found it was safe for pedestrians and cyclists to use the route but it has remained closed to motor vehicles.
The closure has had an impact on the local community as there is only one route into the town over a 150-year-old bridge.
The DfT will be working with the Council to support it in pulling together a bid to the Government’s Structures Fund for a significant contribution towards a scheme to reinstate the B3191, either by making the existing route safe for vehicles or by redirecting the route further inland.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services said: “This is only the first step but it’s a hugely important one – it means in principle the Government now recognises and supports the need to find a way to reinstate this road and will look seriously at our bid to fund this.
“We know the closure of the road to vehicles is having a major effect on the economy of Watchet and we have continually made it clear to Government that there is a significant cost to the local economy and 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.”