A TASK force has been set up in Watchet to help keep trade going and encourage visitors to the town in the wake of the closure of the B3191 road to Blue Anchor.

Somerset County Council closed the road at Cleeve Hill last month because of the risk of clifftop subsidence and later said it would remain shut indefinitely because it did not have funds to re-route it inland.

West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger criticised the county authority for abandoning the road and instead spending £27 million on a theatre upgrade in Yeovil.

Now, the town council has formed a road closure task force with representatives of the chamber of commerce WACET, Watchet Coastal Community Team, the Onion Collective, marina operator Marine Group, and the town’s visitor centre.

The group, which met for the first time last week, will look at a ‘community response’ to the situation amid fears the town could lose passing trade and the effect on people living to the west of Watchet who were now cut off from the urban area.

Task force chairman Cllr Sean Terrett, who also chairs the council’s recreation and tourism committee, said: “We had a really positive meeting that recognised that the road was unlikely to be reopened any time soon and the town needed to come together and work on some projects to ensure that visitors continue to come to Watchet and enjoy having less through traffic to contend with.

“The committee already has budgets available which it could use to improve signage in the town and we will be actively looking at using them for the benefit of traders and residents.

“The task force will take its ideas to county council highways later this month in Watchet.”

Watchet town council Sean Terrett task force chairman
Watchet Cllr Sean Terrett, who is chairing a town task force. (Sean Terrett)

Improved signage was among the measures discussed at last week’s meeting, along with a suggestions that a transport service could be provided to bring into Watchet residents on the western side of town who were cut off by the closure.

In the medium term, it was agreed more intensive use of the town brand with increased marketing on social media was needed.

Fiona Payne, of Watchet Visitor Centre, said the town’s marketing brand, which is used on a wide range of leaflets, had been praised by visitors for its bright colours.

The ‘scratch the surface’ brand was designed to encourage people to stay and explore how much Watchet and the coast had to offer.

In the long term, it was believed Watchet high street would benefit from improvements to make it more pedestrian friendly.

A 20 mph limit and better separation of cars and pedestrians could see the revival of plans to semi-pedestrianise the high street, and it was also suggested there should be better separate unloading of lorries from the main street.

Town clerk Sarah Reed said: “When the council heard the concerns of traders at the February council meeting, we knew we needed to act fast.

“Building on the work started by WACET we as the local authority were able to bring people together to represent significant viewpoints in the town in quick time.

“Town council next week will consider what projects might be funded by the council to promote the tourist trade in the town.”