A BID to set up a ferry service between Minehead and Barry on the South Wales coast could be re-floated.

The potential link between the two coastal areas has been considered on a number of occasions in recent years but has effectively hit the rocks after faltering on the viability test.

But on Monday, town councillors in Minehead will be asked to back a move to seek Government funding for a feasibility study.

The authority's amenities and general purposes committee is being called on to support a recommendation that the full council seeks £15,000 of funding from Local Action for Rural Communities for the study, which is expected to cost up to £35,000.

Richard Lillis, who represents the Minehead Central ward on West Somerset Council, has been part of a town council-led working group that has been revisiting the ferry proposal.

He admitted that the project had been considered several times in the past and a feasibility study even carried out.

But he said the one now proposed would be more in depth and broad-based, providing a definitive answer on whether the project had a realistic hope of becoming a reality.

"This has been kicking around for too long and we need to know, once and for all, whether it is viable," said Cllr Lillis.

"We have to decide if it will work and, if not, we need to bury it and forget the idea."

Cllr Lillis is hoping the Vale of Glamorgan Council - the working group has already visited the Barry-based authority - may provide matched funding for the study.

The study would look at both the financial and economic feasibility of developing the link, as well as assessing current, potential and future demand.

It would also look at environmental considerations, the infrastructure that would be needed and the most suitable type of vessel.

The scheme would involve constructing piers in both Minehead and Barry, which, it is hoped, would help resolve one of the biggest stumbling blocks.

"One of the major problems with projects in the past is that any proposed service has been restricted by the tidal flows," said Cllr Lillis.

"But there are certain places in Minehead that have quite a lot of water, which would work with a pier and make any link not so dependent on the tides."

Cllr Lillis said he believed the benefits of a ferry service would be immense, particularly when congestion on the A39 and A358 roads was worsening.

And with the proposed Hinkley C nuclear power station and traffic to Minehead's Butlins holiday resort, the situation was only likely to deteriorate.

"The area has long suffered from a lack of commercial investment because of its poor transport routes," he said.

"Providing a ferry to South Wales would offer a great alternative.

"Personally, I think it would be brilliant. It would be good for tourism and for community regeneration, as well as creating a hub and spoke for people to access Exmoor.

"I think this can only be good for businesses, residents and the whole area."

But Cllr Lillis pledged that local residents would be asked for their views on the proposal.

"The feasibility study would look at the impact on the local community and that is a very important aspect.

"There is no intention to ride roughshod over anyone. We will be asking both businesses and residents for their opinions."