FINANCIAL support is being offered by Somerset Council to local organisations to promote Watchet after the community was hit by the closure of the B3191 Cleeve Hill road earlier this year.
The council has put up £30,000 for a newly-formed Watchet Task Force, which comprises town councillors and chamber of trade members, as new drone footage was released which shows the scary extent of cliff erosion alongside the road.
The cash is subject to an approved plan of action, with the aim of boosting visitor numbers.
The funding could be used to support positive marketing and messaging to highlight alternative routes into Watchet, that the town is accessible, businesses are open, and local events, as well as improved signage and longer-term plans for regeneration and recovery.
The council is working with the task force, as well as the town’s visitor centre, community-run Onion Collective, and local businesses to support Watchet’s economy and residents.
Economy, planning, and assets executive Cllr Ros Wyke said: “We understand the concerns of residents and local businesses about the impact of the loss of this key route.
“That is why we are working hard with partners to ensure that together we do everything we can to get the message out there that Watchet is open for business and is a fantastic destination for day-trippers and holiday makers.”
The B3191 was closed indefinitely at Cleeve Hill due to safety concerns following the results of a geotechnical survey looking at serious and significant cliff erosion close to the road.
Detailed inspections revealed further movement was ‘inevitable’, with the conclusion that it would be impossible to safely reopen the road without major intervention.
The council has confirmed it does not have any plans to build a new road without Government funding, which was not yet available.
In March, a drop-in event was organised in Watchet’s Pheonix Centre by the unitary and town councils where residents were able to meet officers and discuss a range of issues, incliuding
The engineering and geotechnical reasons for the closure, including an opportunity to view drone footage of the cliff failure
Potential measures which could be taken to promote/support the town
Safety measures, including permanent closure signage and other potential measures to alleviate resulting traffic issues affecting the neighbouring communities
The costing of options for a replacement road, estimated at between £30 and £60 million, dependent on Government funding
Transport and digital portfolio holder Cllr Mike Rigby said: “As well as the impact on Watchet, we know displaced traffic caused by the closure has had an impact on the community around Old Cleeve and Carhampton.
“We are working with the parish council on a range of measures to encourage responsible driving on these rural roads as well as discouraging HGVs from using them as an alternative route.
“We have to be clear, the road cannot reopen and there is no alternative route planned for the foreseeable future.
“This is about pulling together to mitigate the impacts of the loss of the road.”
Following feedback from March’s drop-in event and subsequent meetings, the unitary council, task force, and Old Cleeve and Carhampton Parish Councils have been working on a package of measures to support communities.
These include:
The proposed £30,000 of funding to enable a local response in Watchet to the closure
Additional 30 mph markings/signage and new Speed Indicator Device (SID) warning signs for Old Cleeve and Carhampton areas to encourage drivers to act responsibly
A review of speed limits being explored with the parish councils
Permanent road closure signs for the B3191 to ensure the safety of road users
Possible ‘Active Travel’ and public rights of way improvements
A proposed realignment of the car park entrance in Swain Street, Watchet, to improve traffic flow
Proposed realignment of the road at the entrance to Watchet so traffic was directed along Harbour Road rather than Swain Street
Task force chairman and town Cllr Sean Terrett said: “With one of the town centre’s main tourism and residential routes now permanently restricted, in what is a time of great environmental and local change, the funding and support offered by Somerset Council has been gratefully received by the Watchet community.
“The task force is looking at ways of securing the existing town infrastructure, maximising the summer season’s trading opportunities, as well as looking at ways to secure our town’s future trading through what could be a tougher than usual winter season.
“Watchet is one of the most welcoming, interesting, and historic destinations to visit in Somerset.
“With this funding and support on offer, we are hoping it will go a long way toward giving the town a major promotional boost, as well as helping to secure a brighter future for the local community.”