Heavy traffic warning ahead of Walsingham Tamil pilgrimage

Walsingham’s first bi-annual Tamil pilgrimage will take place on Sunday, with thousands of pilgrims from around the country set to visit Walsingham's Shrine of Our Lady - an important Catholic site.

There is likely to be heavy traffic as people travel to and from the shrine and head to local beaches, with congestion likely on roads into Walsingham along the A1065 and A148 towards Fakenham, and the B1105 towards Wells-next-the-Sea.

Walsingham's Shrine of Our Lady is an important destination for a number of religious communities around the world (Image: Newsquest)Routes to the pilgrimage will be clearly marked and Norfolk Police have advised those not attending the pilgrimage to avoid the area and find alternative routes.

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They say they will be on hand to provide "reassurance, advice, and support".

Inspector James Makepeace said: “Every year we work with a variety of agencies and organisers in the run-up to the pilgrimage, where we’ll also have a visible presence, working to keep people safe.

Outside the shrine (Image: Newsquest)“We are expecting thousands of people in Walsingham for what is one of the highlights in the Tamil community’s calendar, and we ask that people follow the guidance around traffic and water safety so that this year’s events offer a safe and enjoyable experience for all.”

People are also being asked to check tide times, with the high tide on Wells beach on Sunday expected to be at 4.50pm.

The RNLI advises people to stay away from any channels or creeks that could fill with water behind them up to four hours before high tide hits.

Beachgoers should return to the main beach before 12.50pm and a siren will sound around four hours before high tide as a reminder.