Countdown on for Lewes Bonfire celebrations

A multi-agency group made of emergency services, local authorities and transport operators, including Southern, has issued this travel advice press release which is copied below:

With a month to go until the Lewes bonfire celebrations, a renewed call is being made for people from outside the town to “Stay Local” and find a display nearer to home.

In the past, tens of thousands of people have attended, prompting a warning from an independent crowd safety review that:

“Left unchanged, there is a very high likelihood of an incident occurring that could result in serious injury or death to one or more people in this event.”

Since 2010, 818 injuries were reported. Last year 92 people were hurt during the celebrations. A third of these were hurt on the procession routes and one fifth by bangers or other fireworks.

A multi-agency group of emergency services, local authorities and transport operators has been working together for many months to put measures in place to reduce this number and the risk of a more serious incident.

However, there is no single organiser for the event which presents challenges when considering crowd management through the town.

Over-crowded streets also make it harder for emergency services to reach those in need of help.

Alongside the Stay Local campaign, travel restrictions are being brought in on the 5 November to help manage the numbers of people in the town

These can be found at: http://lewesbonfire2018.blogspot.com/2018/ along with details of local events.

Travel restrictions

Road closures from 16.45pm on 5 November 2018

Parking restrictions will begin to be imposed from noon. More information will follow closer to the event.

Rail travel

We recognise that there will be an impact on train passengers and road users who are not planning to attend the event. The decision to bring in travel restrictions has been made in the best interests of safety. We hope that those who are inconvenienced will understand that and have time to make alternative arrangements where possible.