B3191 cannot become active travel route due to 'instability'

The B3191 connects Watchet and Blue Anchor on the West Somerset coast, serving as both a vital connection between the two settlements and an important diversionary route for holidaymakers when the A39 to Minehead is closed or congested.

The road was closed by Somerset County Council on January 12 after a geotechnical survey showed that heavy rainfall had accelerated the ongoing erosion along this stretch of the coast.

Local residents and active travel campaigners have been pushing since the road’s closure to turn the closed section into an “active travel paradise”, giving walkers and cyclists a car-free route into Watchet from the west.

Somerset Council (which replaced the county council in April) has now said this proposal is a non-starter – but said it was exploring different options to secure access to the town centre and support local businesses.

Loretta Whetlor, who sits on Watchet Town Council, addressed the full council on this subject when it convened in Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon (May 24).

She said: “Back on January 12, Somerset County Council closed the B3191 following the results of a geotechnical survey. More detailed inspections revealed further movement of the road, as reported in the news on March 23.

“Since that date no further information has been passed to the people of Watchet. They are very unhappy about this they feel that they have been forgotten and wonder if it’s a case of ‘if we don’t mention it, perhaps it will go away’.

“Well, it won’t go away and nor will the people of Watchet. It is affecting businesses and residents alike. Tourism will be drastically affected this summer.

“Has there been any more movement of the road or cliff documented since the last date on March 23? Please advise the people of Watchet that you have not abandoned them.”

At a drop-in event held in Watchet on March 23, the council indicated that its preferred option was to divert the B3191 inland, as well as installing rock armour at the foot of the cliffs to slow the pace of further erosion.

A £3.7m scheme is currently under way to protect the B3191 and neighbouring properties at Blue Anchor, with granite boulders being positioned at the base of the cliffs to take the brunt of the incoming tides.

While this scheme is fully funded, the council does not currently have funding for its preferred Watchet scheme.

The Cleeve Hill Development Group offered to divert the road inland in exchange for building 136 new homes on Cleeve Hill itself – but these plans were refused by Somerset West and Taunton Council’s planning committee shortly before the B3191 was closed.

The closed B3191 Cleeve Hill, seen from the Watchet side. (Image: LDRS)

Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for transport and digital, told the full council that geotechnical surveys were carried out on February 16 and April 19, which indicated that the road and the surrounding land was moving by “up to six millimetres”.

He said that various initiatives were being explored to allow pedestrians and cyclists to more easily access Watchet from the west.

He said: “The English Coast Path at Cleeve Hill has already been diverted, and further continues in collaboration with Natural England and adjacent landowners to assess alternative route options.

“An economic development business survey has been launched, and we are looking at possible improvements to the pedestrian environment in the town centre.

“These include: a possible restriction of vehicle access to Swain Street car park to create a loading bay, to free up pedestrian and cycle space on Swain Street; cosmetic improvements, such as painting the exterior of the doctor’s surgery and additional planters; and in the long term there is an ambition to remove kerbs in the town centre to enhance the public realm.

“Improvements to the current footpath running from the top of the B3191 running down to the donkey field and the Mineral Line are taking place at the end of May. Evidence shows that this diversion is well-used and well-signed.

“Further diversions to reopen walking and cycling access around the closure are ongoing. A key focus of this is to encourage cycling from Warren Bay to Watchet town centre during peak season.”

Mr Rigby said the council had taken legal advice on using the B3191 as a ‘quietway’ for cyclists – but had been advised that it was unworkable and would leave the council vulnerable to potential legal action.

He said: “There has been movement [of the road] – but even if there hadn’t been, that’s something we’ve been advised is not a wise thing to do.

“If and when the road does eventually, catastrophically collapse, that could happen with little notice.

“We took specialist legal advice and they advised us that we would be on the hook as a council if anyone were to come to any harm – whether walker, cyclist, motorist or whatever as a result of the instability.

“It was a very clear ‘no’. We can’t be using that road for walking and cycling again.”