A WEST Somerset road threatened by collapsing cliffs is being permanently closed following Somerset Council’s decision to give up for now on the idea of re-routing it.
The B3191 Watchet to Blue Anchor road was suddenly closed more than two years ago at Cleeve Hill after coastal erosion caused cliff movement nearby.
A geotechnical survey recommended the road should be kept closed for an indefinite period, which the council did with a temporary traffic regulation order (TRO).
Last year, it was opened for pedestrians and cyclists only to use the route, but not vehicles, and the closure the order was amended.
The closure dramatically affected businesses in Watchet and the council gave £30,000 for a task force to come up with ideas to promote the town to attract more visitors to help the economy.
There was also huge concern among neighbouring parish councils about the loss of the only alternative route should the A39 to Minehead become blocked and fears that traffic could jam narrow country lanes.
Now, the unitary council, which is trying to avoid becoming bankrupt, has decided to apply for a permanent TRO because it cannot afford the estimated £30 million cost of moving the road further inland.
A spokesperson said: “The major funding required either to safeguard the road so it can be reopened or to build a replacement road is not available.
“The council remains committed to exploring all potential sources of funding and is continuing to lobby for transport investment in the area.
“The TRO can be reversed in the future, should funding become available.”
The spokesperson said further movement in the cliffs ‘was inevitable’ and it would be impossible to safely reopen the road to vehicles without major intervention, such as creating an alternative road alignment and cliff protection and stabilisation measures at Cleeve Hill.
They said cliff protection work had been carried out in Blue Anchor to ensure an alternative route remained available for traffic to access businesses and destinations along the B3191.
Somerset executive Cllr Richard Wilkins said: “The situation is unchanged, the B3191 remains unsafe for motor vehicles, but we need to move to a proper legal position with respect to these roads.
“However, we are continuing to lobby for transport investment in our county, when funding streams become available we will lobby strongly on behalf of local communities.
“The council has been successful in influencing the Peninsula Transport Strategic Investment Plan which sets out agreed regional priorities for transport investment in the South West peninsula.
“This plan highlights the need for a Watchet coastal erosion package as one of the investment priorities for the region and will be used to help prioritise regional investment as and when appropriate funding sources become available.”
West Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour said: “Improving transport links across my constituency is one of my key missions, which is why it was disappointing to learn of the permanent closure status of the B3191.
“It was, however, in many ways, inevitable.
“The B3191 between Watchet and Blue Anchor is a crucial link in West Somerset, and I am well aware of the damaging impact this road closure has on the local economy in Watchet and Blue Anchor, as well as the wider West Somerset community.
“The Government need to wake up to the realities that communities in our constituency face and allocate new funding to rebuild this crucial road link.
“Last week, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport, inviting her to the constituency to see our transport issues like the dire state of the B3191 for herself, showcasing the benefits that a rebuild would bring to the area.
“The inclusion of the Watchet coastal erosion package as one of the investment priorities in the Peninsula Transport strategic investment plan is a positive next step, and I will continue to put pressure on the Government to secure new funding for a rebuild project.”