Calls to prioritise reopening Somerset coast road amid transport plan discussions
Somerset Council urged to focus on B3191 restoration as part of transport strategy
Somerset Council is being urged to prioritise the reopening of a key coastal route, the B3191, between Blue Anchor and Watchet, within its new local transport plan.
Councillor Sarah Wakefield emphasised the importance of addressing this transport issue, stating it should be pursued at all levels to resolve the challenges faced by residents travelling between the two destinations.
The B3191 served as an alternative route for holidaymakers during times of congestion on the A39 between Minehead and Williton.
However, concerns surrounding coastal erosion led to its closure in January 2023, with motorised vehicles banned from the stretch since then.
Despite the consultation which gathered over 1,000 objections, Somerset Council confirmed the road’s permanent closure to motorised traffic in October 2025.
The council aims to submit a £37 million bid to the Department for Transport to potentially reverse this decision.
During the council’s recent planning and transport policy executive sub-committee meeting, Councillor Wakefield advocated for the B3191 to be reconsidered in the transport plan, highlighting the necessity for a more direct route between Watchet and Blue Anchor.
Currently, the local transport plan fails to mention Blue Anchor or B3191, while Watchet is only mentioned briefly among other village communities.
Matthew Prince, the council’s senior officer for transport and infrastructure, acknowledged the need for improved connectivity and indicated a plan to gather community input to inform future strategies.
“We’re going to pick things like that up in our new connectivity and integrated transport strategy," Prince said.
"The process has already started by consulting communities to understand and address their transport needs."
The local transport plan is expected to be presented to the full council for final approval before the end of the year.