Buckinghamshire Council’s highways branch is working with Thames Water to remove traffic lights in Princes Risborough amid concerns they will impact a vintage car event this weekend.

Thames Water began repairs on Kop Hill Road in the town on Tuesday, September 10, after being alerted of a water pipe needing emergency repair.

While the work was due to finish on Thursday, September 12, a spokesperson for Buckinghamshire Highways said they had been alerted to concerns from the public about “the impact of the works” on the Kop Hill Climb, a popular annual race that sees hundreds of classic motors scale the hill non-competitively.

The event, which runs from Saturday, September 14 to Sunday, September 15, will also involve live music, food and a wider celebration of all things vintage vehicles.

Buckinghamshire Highways said they were “working closely with Thames Water to remove the traffic management” put in place for the roadworks before the climb kicks off.

The water company will also reportedly employ a road sweeper to clean up the site ahead of the weekend.

Those planning to head to Kop Hill in the coming days could be met with other challenges on their way, however – organisers for the event took to social media yesterday (September 13) to remind ticket holders of the weekend-long closure of Handy Cross roundabout between High Wycombe and Marlow for a roadworks project that is expected to cause local disruption. 

They suggested drivers coming along the M40 take an alternative route to Princes Risborough by exiting at junction 6 and travelling via Chinnor on the B4009.

The roundabout will be closed until 6am on Monday, September 16, when weeknight closures from 9pm to 6am will come into force, lasting until Saturday, October 5.