Reminder: Lewes and surrounding stations closed on 5 November from around 5pm

Rail passengers are being reminded that, due to public safety concerns at Lewes Bonfire Night, Lewes and its immediate surrounding stations will be shut from around 17.00 on Monday, 5 November.

These travel restrictions, which include road closures, were first announced in the summer:

• No trains will call at Lewes, Falmer, Glynde or Southease from 17.00 on 5 November 2018 until the first timetabled trains on the morning of 6 November 2018.

• The last train of the day to stop at Cooksbridge will be the 16:16 departure from London Victoria, which arrives at 17:20, before continuing to its next stop, which will be Polegate. Cooksbridge station will then be closed until the first timetabled trains on the morning of 6 November 2018.

• Customers wishing to travel from London to destinations on the Seaford line should catch a train to Brighton, to connect with a train for stations to Seaford, as there will be no interchange at Lewes.
  

A multi-agency group that includes the emergency services, local authorities, and transport operators came to this decision due to serious concerns about overcrowding in the narrow streets of Lewes.

The group has issued the press release below at lewesbonfire2018.blogspot.com and will have available spokespeople from Sussex Police, Lewes District Council and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service on Friday morning, 2 November, at the Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service HQ in Lewes.

Please email Elizabeth Curtis, communications manager at East Sussex Fire and Rescue service as soon as possible to book your spot:elizabeth.curtis@esfrs.org

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Safety at the centre of final preparations for Lewes Bonfire Night

Final preparations are being made for Lewes Bonfire Night with public safety being put first.

Emergency services, local authorities and transport operators have been working together to bring in measures to help manage the number of people attending the event. At its height, it’s estimated as many as 60,000 people have attended in past years.

While the same numbers are not expected this year, there remain serious concerns about overcrowding in the narrow streets of Lewes and people are being asked not to travel to the event. A number of travel restrictions were announced in the summer and it is hoped that those who are inconvenienced will understand that this has been done for the benefit of public safety.

Superintendent Howard Hodges from Sussex Police said:

“Whilst recognising the importance of seasonal festivities including Lewes Bonfire it is important that both the events held and that those attending them are safe.

In order to achieve this a wide range of partners have worked with the Bonfire Societies to put in place practical measures to achieve this.

Whilst it is accepted that there will be some disruption on the night as a result this has been done for the sole purpose of reducing the numbers of people coming to Lewes in order to avoid overcrowding and to keep people safe.

I would encourage people to attend their local events and to ensure that they look after themselves and plan ahead in relation to how you will safely get to and from these events”.

Nigel Cusack from East Sussex Fire and Rescue is calling on people to Stay Local and find alternatives events nearer to them:

“We know that there are plenty of alternative bonfire events across Sussex throughout the autumn months which people can enjoy and support. Managed and organised firework displays help bring local communities together and often raise funds for good causes. ESFRS actively promote the attendance of your local managed events which helps reduce the chances of accidents with bonfires and fireworks at home”

Ed Hele from Lewes District Council said:

"We would strongly encourage anyone thinking of travelling to Lewes on bonfire night to reconsider. The travel restrictions, which have been put in place for very good reasons, will make it difficult to get in and out of the town. We echo the advice for people living outside of Lewes to enjoy a bonfire event closer to home."

Travel restrictions

Road closures from 16.45pm on 5 November 2018

Parking restrictions will begin to be imposed from noon.

Further information can be found on the Lewes District Council Website.

Rail travel