Somerset coast road to permanently close despite more than 1,000 objections
The closure of B3191 Cleeve Hill will be made permanent from October 31
A key Somerset coast road will be permanently closed to motorised vehicles – despite more than 1,000 local residents objecting to the proposal.
The B3191 Cleeve Hill, which links Watchet to Blue Anchor, served as a key commuting route for locals, and provided a diversionary route for holidaymakers whenever the A39 between Minehead and Williton was congested.
The road was closed indefinitely by Somerset County Council in January 2023 due to concerns about coastal erosion – and while pedestrians and cyclists have been able to use the route since the spring of 2024, motorised vehicles remain banned along this entire stretch.
Somerset Council (which replaced the county council in April 2023) announced in mid-May that it would be making an order to permanently close the road until funding to divert the route inland became available – similar to what it recently implemented with the closure of Chinnock Hollow near Yeovil.
Despite more than 1,000 local residents objecting to this closure, the council confirmed on Friday (October 24) that the closure would be made permanent on October 31.
The precise section of road which will be closed begins five metres west of the junction with Saxon Close and runs a further 220 metres to the west, ending near Daws Castle.
The closure prohibits all motorised vehicles from using the road (except emergency vehicles where necessary), but pedestrians and cyclists can continue to access the full stretch in question.
A council spokesperson said: “A total of 12 responses were received during the consultation period, including nine objections and a petition containing 1,089 names.
“This order can be reversed if funding is identified, so it is absolutely no impediment to attracting potential funds from central government or housing developers.
“We will continue to explore any funding opportunities that arise. We have written to the transport secretary requesting funding and have worked to ensure the need for a scheme is included in the transport strategy for the region.
“We have also provided funding and support to enable the Watchet Task Force to be set up, and in turn help fund promotion of businesses and the town.”
Reopening the road was identified as a priority by the Peninsula Transport sub-national transport body, which brings together councillors from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.
In its recently-published strategic implementation plan (SIP), the body has estimates it will require between £20m and £50m to divert the road inland and prevent further coastal erosion.
James Wright, chairman of the South West Conservative Rural Forum – who organised the petition – stated in June: “This isn’t just about a road. It’s about whether coastal communities get heard or ignored.
“Everyone I spoke to, the families, older residents, local businesses, told me the same thing this closure is hurting people.”
Rachel Gilmour, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, has been pushing for transport secretary Heidi Alexander MP to visit Watchet to see the impact of the road closure first-hand on local businesses.
Speaking during the consultation, she said: “While the permanent closure was inevitable due to the risks associated with the road, I will continue to press for solutions at a national and local government level, so that Watchet and Blue Anchor can have the road infrastructure that both towns need and deserve.
“I will never stop fighting on behalf of my constituents, so the government will be hearing more on this from me in the future.”