West Somerset is to receive more than £90,000 in government grant to help maintain its appeal to tourists.
Three schemes are to be supported from the Coastal Revival Fund among the 77 awards totalling £3 million that are being made across the country.
And Bridgwater and West Somerset Conservative MP Ian Liddell-Grainger says the fact that the area has done so well is down to the hard work of individuals and organisations in putting put the bids together.
There’s a £24,000 grant for the Steam Coast Trail Project, a scheme to create a network of cycle paths linking the rural communities of the West Somerset coast.
Another £20,000 goes to an initiative to restore the Edwardian character of Minehead’s Esplanade while the largest grant, of £50,000, will underwrite the Watchet Rope Walk, an initiative to create a pathway linking the new visitor centre and refurbished boat museum, the West Somerset Railway, and the recreated Victorian pleasure garden at Splash Point.
The purpose of the fund is to help kick-start the revival of at-risk heritage sites such as piers that have potential to create opportunities for new businesses and jobs. The grants will be paid to local authorities and will have to be spent in the current financial year.
West Somerset’s awards follow a £300,000 grant to create a cycleway alongside the westernmost section of the West Somerset Railway and, said Mr Liddell-Grainger, all three recognised the attractions of the West Somerset coastline.
“It is a wonderful asset but one whose tourism potential hasn’t really been exploited to the full,” he said.
“These grants open up some really exciting projects and the important thing is that we are going to see the money put to work almost immediately.
“So many excellent bids were received that another funding round has been announced and that makes it all the more impressive that three awards have been made to West Somerset alone. It’s a real tribute to those individuals and groups who have put together such convincing cases for support.”