LOCKABLE safety gates are to be installed to halt drivers when danger alarms are triggered on a spectacular coastal road in West Somerset.

Work to upgrade safety measure on the road near Watchet are scheduled to begin next month with the installation of new safety gates and advanced signage to alert motorists and walkers.

The scheme on the B3191 Cleeve Hill Road is based on flood gates installed on the Somerset Levels that operate when water levels rise.

The gates will prevent access either side of the narrowest section of the road in the event of an alarm being triggered which warns of possible movement of the cliff.

The cliff top road forms part of the coastal footpath and there will also be a signed diversion route incorporated into the scheme for walkers using the footpath.

Work is due to get underway on Monday, September 5, and is expected to last for five days.

While the works are being carried out, the road will be closed to traffic between 8am and 5pm daily, but will be open at all other times.

The monitoring system currently in place detects movement of the cliff and sends out messages to activate signage and to inform teams to carry out a road closure.

Unfortunately, the signage is often moved by drivers to allow vehicles to pass through, which can be extremely dangerous.

The new system will see large gates placed across the road and locked into position when alarms are set off.

In addition, there will also be two advanced signs on the Blue Anchor side to warn oncoming traffic of the closure and one advanced sign on the Watchet side.

Site investigations will then be carried out and the road reopened as quickly as possible.

Somerset County Council executive lead member for transport and digital Cllr Mike Rigby said: “Cleeve Hill is a complex site and requires the utmost care when investigating potential ground movement and reopening.

“Ensuring safety for our road users is always paramount and this new system will provide an additional layer of safety to Cleeve Hill.”

Cleeve Hill has been closed several times in recent years due to due to coastal erosion.

We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.

Please report any comments that break our rules.

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here

© 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. A Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |

Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event.

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.