Council bids for millions to reopen eroding coast road

A council has made a bid to the government for funding to help reopen a coastal road that is crumbling into the sea.

The B3191 in Watchet, Somerset, was hit with a permanent traffic regulation order in May last year, after it was found to be too unstable to allow vehicles through due to coastal erosion, though pedestrians remain able to use the route.

Somerset Council has revealed the cash bid for a "significant contribution" to support what it believes is a project worth up to £40m.

Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council's lead member for transport, said the council would be "pushing hard" for the funding but warned there was no guarantee it would be successful.

Wilkins added: "We fully understand the impact on the community of only having one road into Watchet, and the potential impact on the West Somerset traffic that has to take long diversions if the A39 has to close due to an incident."

The Structures Fund was launched by the government earlier in April, providing cash to councils wanting to upgrade their road systems.

MP for Tiverton and Minehead Rachel Gilmour said: "This is wonderful news from Somerset Council today, and I am very glad to hear it, as I know are the people of Watchet and Blue Anchor.

"This road is a vital resilience route for Watchet, both economically, and in other means.

She added: "If this does go through, and we hear positive news from the government, then it will be down to the hard work of my team, and councillor Wilkins and his team in pushing this item forwards."

Gilmour also said her work on the road had earned her praise from Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.

James Wright, a campaigner on Exmoor, who has advocated for the reopening of the road, said: "This is a victory for everyone who signed the letter calling on Somerset Council to do more for residents and businesses in Watchet and Blue Anchor.

"The council made the closure permanent without exhausting all the funding opportunities available to them.

"I am glad they are now treating this as their highest priority road and have submitted an application."

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