DRIVERS are being advised to allow more time for their journeys or consider alternative routes around Wickham tomorrow because of road closures for the annual Wickham Fair.

The traditional event includes a funfair on The Square in Wickham and a gypsy horse run on the Winchester Road. Around 2,000 travellers from around the country traditionally attend the fair.

The event is informal and doesn’t have an official organiser. The police, Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council, Wickham Parish Council and other agencies work together to ensure that the historic event is enjoyable and takes place with minimum disruption.

The Square in Wickham was due to be closed to traffic from noon yesterday (Thursday) until early on Saturday 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 5am-8pm tomorrow.

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 horseboxes to be parked on the east side of the A334 between the north end of The Square and the junction of Blind Lane and Titchfield Lane.

Any vehicle parked in an unauthorised place will be towed away. Signs 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.