Great Dorset Steam Fair: New roads for weather-hit festival

Organisers were granted planning permission to make the changes in time for September's show

More than 3,000m of roads are being constructed on the site of the Great Dorset Steam Fair after bad weather affected the event last year.

Festival-goers struggled to access the site in Tarrant Hinton near Blandford because the wet ground made conditions difficult for car drivers.

Organisers were granted planning permission to make the changes in time for this year's show on 2 September.

Managing director Martin Oliver said lessons had been learned.

He added: "We strongly believe that these measures will greatly improve access times on arrival, ease traffic congestion both on and off site and significantly enhance exhibitor, camper and visitor experiences, whatever the weather."

Tractors were used to help people access the site in 2014

In addition, a shuttle bus has been introduced, while car parks for campers and day visitors are at opposite sides of the site to ease congestion.

Organisers hope eventually to build a 5,000m permanent internal road system over three years, but this is subject to further planning permission.

The event, in its 46th year, regularly attracts up to 200,000 visitors.

Steam road locomotives are the main attraction but the fair also features other vintage vehicles and live music.