Remember, remember: Rye station shut from 3pm on Saturday 15 November for bonfire celebrations

• Alterations come 10 days after similar closure at Lewes and four surrounding stations on Wednesday 5 November (previously announced) view press release here

As in previous years, for reasons of public safety, Rye railway station will be closed from 3pm on the day of the Rye Bonfire (Saturday, 15 November) until the regular start of service the next day, Sunday.

The change has the backing of Rye Bonfire Society and police, who say it will prevent anti-social behaviour from youths travelling in from out of town.

Southern’s train service cannot accommodate the number of people expected to visit the town. There would be a very real risk that visitors would be stranded trying to get home because they would not be able to board the last train home.

As with many other bonfire activities across the region, the advice is for people to attend their local events rather than travelling far afield.

Southern Rail Area Manager Paul Wyborn said: “For reasons of public safety, Rye railway station will be closed from 3pm on the day of the town bonfire celebrations, which this year falls on Saturday, 15 November.

“We’ve worked closely with community organisers and members of the local multi-agency Safety Advisory Group to help us reach this decision.

“Trains will run through Rye without stopping until the normal start of service next day, Sunday 16 November, and online journey planners such as nationalrail.co.uk have been updated with this revised timetable. Please do consider your alternatives if you’re planning to travel that day.”

James Foster, Chair of Rye Bonfire Society, said: "We definitely support the closure of Rye station as it has a noticeable positive impact on crowd behaviour, and this is clearly demonstrated by the reduction in police incidents.”

Chief Insp Simon Yates of Sussex Police said: “To ensure public safety, a decision has been made to close Rye Station during the bonfire event. Police officers will be working closely with partners to maintain order, prevent crime, and respond swiftly to any incidents.”

The closure of Rye station will come 10 days after a similar closure from 5pm on Wednesday 5 November of Lewes, Glynde, Southease, Falmer and Cooksbridge stations, along with road closures, to keep Lewes Bonfire Night safe. This was decided by members of a multi-agency group that includes the emergency services and district council as announced in this press release: https://www.esfrs.org/please-dont-travel-to-lewes-bonfire-night.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The Rye multi-agency Safety Advisory Group is formed of representatives of Rother District Council, the emergency services and emergency planning, Rye Bonfire Society and Southern Railway.

The Lewes multi-agency group includes the British Transport Police, East Sussex County Council, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, East Sussex Highways, Southern Railway, Brighton & Hove Buses, Lewes District Council, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Sussex Police and St John Ambulance.