WORK is due to start next week to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists using a closed stretch of the B3191 in Watchet.

The coastal road to Blue Anchor was closed by Somerset Council in January, 2023, over safety fears when cliffs were found to be in danger of collapsing.

Now, the layout is to be improved to make it safer for shared pedestrian and cycle use which was reintroduced at Easter.

Motorised vehicles will still be banned.

The news came as the B3191 ‘temporary’ closure was extended for the next five years to 2029.

The road closure covers a 240-yard stretch of highway starting at a point 16 feet to the west of Saxon Close.

Watchet Mayor Cllr Loretta Whetlor said she welcomed the unitary authority’s planned improvements.

Cllr Whetlor said: “I am very pleased that pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the section of road through to Watchet.”