Somerset West and Taunton Council’s open spaces and maintenance teams have been busy making Minehead seafront welcoming for residents and visitors as part of its commitment to coastal communities.
The Council has taken on maintenance of the newly planted seafront which also has two new play areas. It will begin clearing sand from the pavements and esplanade this week ready for the return of tourists as lockdown restrictions are gradually eased.
The teams have also started to plant the flowerbeds and put hanging baskets out using bedding plants produced at the Council’s own nursery.
The work complements the Enterprising Minehead initiative which aims to make the most of Minehead’s traditional appeal as a seaside resort while making sure it is fit for the twenty-first century.
Enterprising Minehead is a partnership project involving Somerset West and Taunton Council, Minehead Coastal Community Team and partners including representatives from the business, voluntary and leisure sectors.
It has already helped to revitalise West Somerset’s flagship seaside resort with a number of initiatives including restoring six Edwardian shelters and establishing a new heritage interpretation trail called ‘Minehead Maritime Mile’ which runs the length of the seafront.
Cllr Benet Allen, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Culture at SWT, said: “I am cheered by the work of our open spaces and maintenance teams which has really improved the look of the seafront already. It’s wonderful for residents to appreciate and will reassure visitors that Minehead is ready and waiting to welcome them so they are able to support our leisure and hospitality sector after the impact of Covid-19.”
SWT has also been working in partnership with the Somerset Wildlife Trust to create a number of species-rich wildflower meadows on council owned land across the district including Seaward Way and Culvercliffe in Minehead.
The open spaces team has left these areas to re-wild, and has cut pathways to allow people to walk through them. They will sow wild flowers seed in the autumn.
The initiative is part of the Council’s commitment to protecting and improving biodiversity, identified as a priority in the emerging climate change strategy.