Closed coastal road one step closer to reopening
BBCA road which was closed to traffic due to rapid coastal erosion is one step closer to reopening after help from the Department of Transport (DfT).
The B3191 between Watchet and Blue Anchor in Somerset closed to traffic in January 2023, after it was deemed unsafe due to its close proximity to the edge of the cliff.
Somerset Council indicated last month to the government it would apply to its Structures Fund for around £40m to open the route - with the DfT now offering support for a formal bid.
John Richards, a councillor in Watchet and chair of the town's chamber of trade, said the news is "absolutely marvellous".
Officials from the Department for Transport (DfT) will work with councillors to pull a bid together for the cash, which will make the existing route safe, or move the road inland away from the cliff.
As it stands, the only way into the town centre is over a 150-year-old bridge, while tourism traffic into the town from the resort village of Blue Anchor has to divert via the A39.
Richards added it will be "wonderful" if the road gets reopened.
"The town is so quiet because of the loss of through traffic.
"All of the businesses have suffered terribly.
"Part of it is the current economical climate but the loss of the through traffic and the people coming from the caravan sites for their cup of tea and milk, their newspaper and stopping in the other shops has been so noticeable," he added.
Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council's lead member for transport, said while it is "only the first step", it is a "hugely important one".
"It means in principle the government now recognises and supports the need to find a way to reinstate this road and will look seriously at our bid to fund this," he added.
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