Work to construct the site of this year’s Pride festival has got underway.

A large section of Preston Park in Brighton has been closed off to the public as construction teams begin assembling the main stage for the annual festival, which will see Black Eyed Peas, Steps and Zara Larsson perform this weekend.

Fencing, lighting and a number of tents and food stands will also be set up ahead of the festival’s grand opening on Saturday.

A perimeter fence was constructed yesterday afternoon as the park was closed off to the public. The area will not reopen until August 9.

The Argus: A tall perimeter fence has been constructed around much of the parkA tall perimeter fence has been constructed around much of the park (Image: The Argus)

Another area of the park, including the tennis courts, will be closed from 6pm on Friday and will reopen at 9am on August 6.

Residents have been informed of the planned build schedule and a number of lighting tests, which are expected to take place from 9pm on Thursday and after 9pm on Friday.

Sound checks are also expected to take place at around 9am on both Saturday and Sunday.

The festival will open to ticket holders from midday on Saturday.

The Argus: Brighton Pride's closure schedule for Preston ParkBrighton Pride's closure schedule for Preston Park (Image: Brighton Pride)

A spokesman for Brighton Pride said: “Pride takes safety very seriously and have worked with the council and our safety team to agree safe areas for park users and safe working areas for our build crew.

“Pride recognises the inconvenience to residents over the weekend and we endeavour each year to have good communication and hope that residents will take the opportunity to visit our residents’ page on our website so we can keep everyone informed of any developments.”

Festivalgoers have been searching for alternative routes to Brighton after rail company Govia Thameslink Railway, which operates Southern and Thameslink services, cancelled all planned services with just over a week until the city’s Pride festivities were set to begin.

The train operator has apologised for the “difficult decision” and said an overtime ban by rail union Aslef meant it was not possible to “run a safe service with enough capacity for the extraordinary number of people who travel to Brighton for Pride”.