Support package announced to help boost tourism in Watchet
The £30,000 has been handed to a task force as the coastal town still battles with the impact of a road closing over coastal erosion fears
Last updated 9th Aug 2023
Key sections of a Somerset coastal town could be redesigned to make it easier to access following the lost of one of the main roads in and out.
The B3191 Cleeve Hill, which runs from Watchet to Blue Anchor, was closed by Somerset County Council in mid-January due to fears over coastal erosion.
The new unitary Somerset Council stated in March that the road would be closed for “years rather than months”, with estimates for re-routing the road inland ranging from £30m to £60m.
Watchet businesses and residents have struggled from the loss of the road, which serves as a vital relief route when the A39 to Minehead is congested.
The council has now confirmed £30,000 for the Watchet Task Force to spend on various projects designed to boost visitor numbers – including a long-term review of several key parts of the town.
The task force includes members of Watchet Town Council and the town’s Chamber of Trade, and will be working with the unitary council, the town’s visitor centre, the Onion Collective (which runs the East Quay site near the town’s harbour and marina), Visit Somerset and the Exmoor National Park.
The funding will be used to support social media promotion, advertising and an events programme – and part of it will fund a “long-term review of the design of the town to explore the potential for future improvements”.
New permanent signage has been installed across the town to provide information about accessing communities, including improved and updated brown signs for the Blue Anchor area.
Two particular streets within Watchet will be altered, with the car park entrance on Swain Street being realigned to “improve traffic flow” and the road at the entrance to the town being realigned to direct traffic down Harbour Road rather than Swain Street.
Work will also be undertaken to create a new permanent coastal path route to and from Watchet, with existing walking and cycling routes being enhanced – such as the Mineral Line, which connects the town to the neighbouring village of Washford.
Councillor Ros Wyke, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, said: “It’s fantastic to see the partnership work going on in Watchet to support the town and local businesses.
“This is about building resilience and ensuring the local economy survives and thrives in the long-run.
“The message for potential visitors to this lovely corner of Somerset is simple – Watchet is open for business and here all year, and we want to ensure the community and local businesses have a good summer, autumn and winter.”
The closure of the B3191 has impacted on local villages near Watchet, which have seen increased traffic on their roads seeking to reach Blue Anchor and Minehead.
In Old Cleeve, the unitary council and the parish council have agreed to implement a number of new measures to support the community and mitigate the impact of the road closure.
These include signs prohibiting HGVs (which should be using the A39), new entrance signs at Chapel Cleeve and Old Cleeve, additional 30mph speed markings, new speed indicator devices (SIDs) and a wider review of speed limits across the parish.
The unitary council has confirmed there is no government funding available for any scheme to reopen the B3191 in the foreseeable future.
A spokesman stated in late-June: “We have requested funding from the government but were told there are currently no funding streams available to apply for in respect of a realignment or alternative route.
“We are, of course, happy to follow-up every avenue and are taking this matter up with the minister’s office.”