Police issue traffic and water safety advice ahead of Walsingham pilgrimage

Walsingham’s second bi-annual Tamil pilgrimage takes place on Sunday (14 July 2024) and police will be on hand to provide reassurance, advice, and support.

Thousands are set to head to the village from all over the Country, and road users are reminded there is likely to be heavy traffic as people travel to and from the shrine, and head to local beaches.

Routes to the pilgrimage will be clearly marked and roads into Walsingham along the A1065 and A148 towards Fakenham, and the B1105 towards Wells-next-the-Sea, are likely to be congested.

Anyone not attending the pilgrimage is advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes.

For safety purposes people are also being asked to be mindful of tide times - high tide on Wells beach on Sunday will be just after midday at approximately 12.20pm.

Hundreds of leaflets have been printed in conjunction with the Wells RNLI Water Safety Manager containing written warnings about beach safety and the tides in Tamil.

The advice is that people stay well 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 on Sunday before 8:20am. A siren will sound around four hours before high tide as a reminder.

Insp Makepeace said: “Officers have been working with various agencies and organisers in the run-up to the day when we will have a visible presence working to keep people safe.

“We are expecting thousands of people in Walsingham for what is one of the highlights in the Tamil community’s calendar.

“We want people to enjoy themselves and have a wonderful day out and ask that everyone follows the guidance around traffic and water safety to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for all.”