Wickham Horse Fair to get underway

Around two thousand travellers are expected in Wickham today for the annual horse fair.

People from right across the country converge on the Hampshire town.

The event is informal and does not have an informal organiser, however roads will be closed and drivers are asked to avoid the area.

The traditional event includes a funfair in The Square at Wickham and a gypsy horse-run on the Winchester Road.

The Square in Wickham will be closed to traffic until early on Thursday 21 May to allow the clean-up to be completed. The A334 Winchester Road will be closed between the traffic signals at Blind Lane and the roundabout junction of the A32 from 5 am to 8pm on Wednesday 20 May.

The nearside lane of the A32 southbound at Hoads Hill, from the junction of the A334 to top of the hill, will be used for parking associated with the fair.

Arrangements will be made for horse-boxes to be parked on the east side of the A334 between the north end of the Square and the junction at Blind Lane and Titchfield Lane.

Any vehicle parked in an unauthorised place will be towed away. Signage will be placed along the route to provide information about the road closures.

Permits will be provided for residents to allow access through the closure points, although the road immediately adjacent to the entrance to The Square will not be passable due to the presence of horses and crowds in the road.

A dedicated emergency telephone number for unforeseen personal emergencies will be available for residents in the roads where access to their properties is affected and they will be contacted directly with details.

Officers in high visibility uniform will be available throughout the event to respond to any issues that may arise.