A KIDDERMINSTER councillor has issued advice to residents ahead of the upcoming much-anticipated visit of the Flying Scotsman to Severn Valley Railway.

Liberal Democrat councillor, Fran Oborski MBE, has warned residents about the expected congestion on the roads in Kidderminster as 30,000 ticket holders and photographers descend on Severn Valley Railway for their Pacific Power events between September 21 and September 26.

The Flying Scotsman – recently voted the world’s most famous locomotive – will be in full steam at the Railway on September 21 for SVR’s Charitable Trust’s Charity Day.

The locomotive will then be joined by Tornado – the first new mainline steam locomotive to be built in the UK since the 1960s – between September 22 and September 26.

One of the biggest heritage steam events that the SVR has ever hosted, the arrival of both locomotives has generated unprecedented interest from across the UK, with tickets to ride behind the engines selling out fast.

Cllr Oborski has issued a newsletter to her Worcestershire County Council constituents listing expected congestion points during the visit.

She has also contacted local schools to warn them and their parents and pupils about the risks from motorists who don’t know the area.

The newsletter states: “The main local points for photographers are likely to be the Hoo Road railway bridge, the Chester Road South footbridge, the SVR station and car park.

“The Stourport Road railway bridge will also be a ‘photography hotspot’.

“The police will ban all parking on Hoo Road, from Ray Mercer Way down to, at least, St Cecilia’s Church.

“Fran has asked everyone in Farfield who has the “police, no football or railway parking” signs to keep them out all week.

“We expect congestion and a lot of extra parking in local streets so allow plenty of time if you are taking children to school.”