WATCHET traders will hold an emergency meeting next Wednesday (February 15) to plan their next moves after hearing that the county’s highways authority have applied to keep the coast road into the town closed for up to 18 months.

The B3191 road at Cleeve Hill, used by up to 2,500 vehicles a day, has been closed since January 12 while experts investigate a major landslide of soil and rocks.

“Watchet being cut off from traffic from Blue Anchor is having a disastrous effect on trade,” said John Richards, chairman of Watchet Chamber of Trade (WACET), who has called next Wednesday’s meeting.

“Our members say they are up to 90 per cent down on trade. Shops are shutting early because there is no traffic and no people.”

Any hopes that the problem could be solved quickly were dashed this week when county council spokesman Paul Tucker said: “Currently there is insufficient evidence to indicate that a large-scale movement is not happening and therefore we cannot recommend the reopening of the B3191. Further monitoring and investigations are currently being planned.”

Mr Richards said the meeting would try to find a way forward concerning the road closure. In the meantime, banners directing visitors to Watchet would be displayed on the town’s railway bridge and the Tropiquaria roundabout.

“I am in constant touch with highways and we are also in communication with the district council trying to get a two- hour free parking window in the town early morning to encourage trade. We will also be working with the town council and the Coastal Communities Trust to see if there is anything we can do jointly to alleviate the problems.”

Mr Tucker added: “Additional diversion route signage has been installed to highlight that businesses are open in Watchet despite the diversion.

“At present we are still carrying out further investigations into the cliff, so are currently unable to give any further updates on durations of closure. However we are not expecting it to be removed in the short term.

“Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide a defined foot/cycle route through this section of road currently closed, given that signs of movement have been noted on the landward side of the carriageway.

“However, there is an alternative pedestrian route along signed public footpaths into Watchet, and this is the route that the coastal path is being diverted along.

“In the meantime, we are currently investigating options available for the provision of a cycle route but this is not an easy or straightforward task.”

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