A CALL has been made for a public inquiry to be held into Somerset Council plans to permanently close the B3191 Watchet to Blue Anchor road.

The road was shut at Cleeve Hill more than two years after coastal erosion caused cliff movement nearby.

The council announced in May it was going to apply for a permanent closure because it could not afford the estimated £30 million cost of re-routing it inland.

It then gave people 21 days in which to object to the proposal.

More than 1,000 people signed an open letter of objection organised by Exmoor farmer and political campaigner James Wright, while a joint letter of complaint was also submitted by Watchet, Williton and other local councils.

Now, leading UK specialist commercial real estate law firm Maples Teesdale has taken up the concerns on behalf of an unnamed client, whom it said was a concerned local resident, and believed an inquiry should be held before any decision was made.

A spokesperson for Maples Teesdale said: “Our client was not aware of the proposed closure within the 21-day consultation period and therefore was not able to make their own representations in time for them to be considered by the council.

“While the 21-day period was in accordance with the minimum legal requirements we are surprised that Somerset Council did not allow a far greater period for consultation in respect of such an important closure.

“Within the space of 21 days nobody would have been able to come up with realistic alternative solutions or a full critique of the proposals made by Somerset Council.”

The firm said under the process adopted by the council it could, but was not obliged to, hold a public inquiry before making a decision on the matter.

It said its client considered that due to the major implications the proposal would have on Watchet and its economy, the matter must be considered at a public inquiry.

The spokesperson said: “The holding of the public inquiry would allow all interested parties to participate, would enable the submission of detailed alternative proposals, and would enable full scrutiny of Somerset Council’s own proposals.”

Watchet Town Council this week raised urgent questions over the transparency, consultation process, and strategic planning surrounding such a critical issue.

Town clerk Jo Grellier said the unitary authority was refusing to publish letters of objection on its website, which only carried details of the proposed closure.

She said Somerset leader Cllr Bill Revans was being asked to urgently provide ‘clarification and accountability’.

Ms Grellier said: “This is not just a procedural issue, it is about the safety, connectivity, and economic stability of Watchet and surrounding communities.

“Closure of this route without a clear and transparent plan puts residents, emergency services, and businesses at risk.”

Ms Grellier urged the county authority to respond ‘swiftly and fully’ to the concerns and said the public and stakeholders should remain engaged and hold the decision-makers accountable for ensuring a fair, open, and lawful process.