FRUSTRATED motorists, fresh from negotiating the recent closure of the A39 in Bilbrook, were at the centre of more drama on Tuesday when a BBC film crew descended on Minehead, forcing the closure of Seaward Way.

A team from the BBC hit medical drama Casualty was given permission to close one of the main routes into Minehead to film a train crash scene for the show.

Somerset County Council - which authorised the day-long road closure - and local business leaders highlighted the economic and tourism benefits of hosting a major TV series in Minehead.

But some angry motorists were not so impressed.

One, who asked not to be named, said he had thought signs warning the road was going to be closed had been put up because the railway would be carrying out maintenance work on the level crossing.

"I couldn't believe it when I found out it was being closed so they could film Casualty.

"We've had to put up with the chaos caused by the closure of the A39 and, now that's reopened, the council gives permission for another major road to be closed into Minehead.

"It wouldn't have been so bad if it had been for a few hours, but closing it for the whole day is just not on," the motorist said.

Another said he had been forced to take a diversion through the centre of Minehead - after crawling through a tailback of traffic caught out by the closure.

But West Somerset Railway and local trade leaders said anything which helped put Minehead on the map had to be good news for the town, the tourism industry and the economy.

Graham Sizer, chairman of Minehead Chamber of Trade, said: "The closure of any road is a bit of an inconvenience but this two-minute detour shouldn't be compared to the prolonged closure at Bilbrook.

"Any TV drama filmed in our area can only benefit tourism - if it had been closed last Friday, on one of the busiest Butlins intake days of the year, it would have been different.

"Minehead relies on tourism and if filming Casualty does anything to promote the town, then I'm up for it."

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said the closure had been publicised in advance in the local press and by the use of roadside signs.

The authority placed a public notice in last week's Free Press which said the closure was for a "special event".

The county council spokesman said: "We contacted a number of local businesses, the town council and the emergency services in advance and received no objections.

"The closure was for one day, during the week, and out of the main tourist season, and a short diversion route was available and clearly signposted.

"We were happy to allow the BBC to film in a location which is closely linked to tourism.

"It will hopefully provide a boost for both Minehead and the West Somerset Railway and many of those contacted have expressed excitement at having a popular television programme being filmed on their doorstep."

John Simms, of the West Somerset Railway's commercial team, said the production team and actors had all stayed in local hotels, guest houses and accommodation.

"In the 'off-season' the revenue for businesses will be very useful.

"The West Somerset Railway will get a credit and some extra passenger business may well accrue as a result.

"And West Somerset Railway passengers do spend money in the local economy generally during the course of their days out as well as their fares on the railway," Mr Simms said.

The railway was asked to supply a diesel railway locomotive, wagons and some staff for the day's filming.

Mr Simms said the BBC had liaised directly with the county council over the closure of the road.

Photo: Steve Guscott