Hundreds oppose plan to close off coast route

HUNDREDS of Somerset residents have formally objected to plans to permanently close a key coastal road.

- DANIEL MUMBY Local Democracy Reporter

The B3191 Cleeve Hill, which links Watchet to Blue Anchor, served as a key commuting route for locals, and provided a valuable 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 are still banned along this entire stretch.

Somerset Council confirmed 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.