Please don't travel to Lewes bonfire night

With Lewes bonfire night just days away, members of the public are being reminded not to travel to the event and to choose local bonfire celebrations.

Measures, including road closures, parking restrictions and changes to public transport services, will be in place to manage the number of people attending and help the event pass safely.

However, with this year’s event falling on a Saturday, there remains serious concern about overcrowding in the narrow streets of Lewes.

Emergency services, local authorities and transport operators have been planning for the celebrations for many months. Their message is clear: please do not travel to Lewes Bonfire.

Doug Marshall, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager said:

“We are urging people to choose locally organised fireworks events rather than coming to Lewes, as crowded streets make it harder for us to get to people in an emergency and river levels are high which may make it harder to move around safely. We also want to remind people of the Fireworks Code to help us all have a safe night.”

Close to a thousand injuries have been reported at the event since 2010. Many of these were hurt on the procession routes and by bangers or other fireworks. 

Assistant Chief Constable Howard Hodges said: 

“Sussex Police will have officers on duty to support the event’s stewarding and security teams, this includes at road closure sites as well as in the town centre itself.

“If you see suspicious activity or see something that doesn’t seem right, then please report it to the stewarding teams or our officers on patrol. In an emergency always call 999.

“Unfortunately, each year the event is held we do make arrests, including for offences such as assaults, criminal damage, and possession of drugs. This is clearly not acceptable.” 

Attendees are also reminded that the use of drones during the event is strictly prohibited and is a criminal offence.

Becky Cooke, Director of Tourism, Culture and Organisational Development from Lewes District Council said:

“We are encouraging anyone living outside of the town who wants to experience the event to tune into the Rocket FM video live stream. This has been running for a few years now and has proven a really popular way for people to get enjoy the event from the comfort of your own home and without needing to add to the risk of overcrowding in the town.

“The live stream will be available at www.youtube.com/@RocketFMLewes where footage from previous years is also available.”

Road

Road closures will be in place outside the town from 16:00, followed by further road closures inside the town at 16:45.

Diversions will be in place for traffic to travel outside of the town. Lewes residents are advised to get vehicles home before 16:00 to avoid any road closures in place. Visitors are advised not to bring vehicles into the town.

Parking restrictions in Lewes will begin to be imposed from 12:00.

A full list of road closures and parking restrictions is available at www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/lewesbonfire

Rail

There will be no trains calling at Lewes, Glynde, Southease, Falmer and Cooksbridge after 15:00 on Saturday 4th November 2023. No trains will call at these stations until the first timetabled trains on the morning of Sunday 5 November. 

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are encouraging residents to “Choose Local” this bonfire season, supporting locally organised events rather than setting off fireworks or having bonfires in your own gardens or attending Lewes Bonfire. Anyone who would like to find an event local to them can go to www.esfrs.org/local

Lewes Bonfire travel update

 

Road closures and train time changes confirmed for Lewes Bonfire as multi-agency partners remind people this is an event for local residents.

With less than four weeks until bonfire night, emergency services, public bodies and other organisations are reminding people that Lewes Bonfire celebrations will mean road closures, parking suspensions and changes to train services.

The measures are part of plans to help the event run as safely and smoothly as possible.

Lewes normally becomes significantly over-crowded on bonfire night, therefore the multi-agency group's message is that this remains an event for local people.

This year’s event presents a particular challenge to the multi-agency group tasked with ensuring public safety particularly because it falls on a Saturday. 

This is likely to make the event even more popular and tens of thousands of people are expected in the town, prompting concerns about over-crowding particularly in busy areas such as the War Memorial. 

Sussex Police officers will be on duty to support the event’s stewarding and security teams, this includes at road closure sites as well as in the town centre itself. Anyone attending the event who sees suspicious activity or something that doesn’t seem right should report it to the stewarding teams or police officers on patrol.

Attendees are also reminded that the use of drones during the event is strictly prohibited and is a criminal offence.

Road

Road closures will be in place outside the town from 16:00, followed by further road closures inside the town at 16:45.

Diversions will be in place for traffic to travel outside of the town. Lewes residents are advised to get vehicles home before 16:00 to avoid any road closures in place. Visitors are advised not to bring vehicles into the town.

 The road closures will include:

• A27 junction with A277 Brighton Road (Ashcombe Roundabout)
• A275 junction with Offham Road
• C7 Kingston Road junction with C324 Wellgreen Lane
• A26 junction with A2029 Malling Street 
• A26 Malling Hill Junction with Church Lane

The A26 from Earwig Corner to the Cuilfail Tunnel will be open to through traffic. 

Parking restrictions in Lewes will begin to be imposed from 12:00.

A full list of road closures and parking restrictions is available at www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/lewesbonfire

Rail

There will be no trains calling at Lewes, Glynde, Southease, Falmer and Cooksbridge after 15:00 on Saturday 4th November 2023. No trains will call at these stations until the first timetabled trains on the morning of Sunday 5 November. 

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are encouraging residents to “Choose Local” this bonfire season, supporting locally organised events rather than setting off fireworks or having bonfires in your own gardens or attending Lewes Bonfire. Anyone who would like to find an event local to them can go to www.esfrs.org/local

For more information and FAQs on Lewes Bonfire, visit https://lewesbonfire2023.blogspot.com/p/faqs.html

Multi-agency partners say Lewes Bonfire 'is for local people'

 Multi-agency partners say Lewes Bonfire 'is for local people'

Planning is underway to ensure that this year’s Lewes Bonfire celebrations pass off safely.

Emergency services, public bodies and other organisations are part of a multi-agency group which has been meeting regularly. Considerable effort has been made to put appropriate safety measures in place at past events and agencies are as focused as ever on the need to reduce risks to public safety.

The night is run by local bonfire societies and includes a number of displays and processions. These usually involve a significant amount of fireworks and attract large crowds.

Given that Lewes normally becomes significantly over-crowded on bonfire night, the multi-agency group's message is that this remains an event for local people.

There are concerns that more people than usual will come to Lewes this year as the event falls on a Saturday. Combined with significant amounts of fireworks, this presents a unique challenge to the multi-agency group tasked with ensuring public safety.

Sussex Police officers will be on duty to support the event’s stewarding and security teams, this includes at road closure sites as well as in the town centre itself. Anyone attending the event who sees suspicious activity or something that doesn’t seem right should report it to the stewarding teams or police officers on patrol.

Attendees are also reminded that the use of drones during the event is strictly prohibited and is a criminal offence.

As with previous years, a series of travel restrictions will be introduced on 4 November to help reduce the risks associated with this event.

These are being confirmed well ahead of the event to allow people time to plan. People from outside Lewes are also being encouraged to attend fireworks events closer to home.

Changes to train services have been confirmed as part of plans to keep Lewes Bonfire night running as safely as possible.

Rail

As in previous years, there will be no trains calling at the following stations after 15:00 on Saturday 4 November:

·         Lewes

·         Glynde

·         Southease

·         Cooksbridge

·         Falmer

No trains will call at the above stations until the first timetabled trains on the morning of Sunday 5 November. 

Road

Road closures will be in place around the town from 16:00. Diversions will be in place for traffic to travel outside of the town. Parking restrictions in Lewes will begin to be imposed from 12:00 and visitors are advised not to bring vehicles into the town.

 

A full list of road closures and parking restrictions will be available closer to the time of the event.

Final update

Lewes bonfire 2022 is drawing to a close.

Crowds have been making their way home after a busy night in Lewes, where processions and displays took place in very wet conditions.

As of midnight, most of the people treated by St John Ambulance and South East Coast Ambulance only had minor injuries.

Sussex Police have made one arrest.

It will take some time for the roads to get back to normal, with the clear-up operation underway.

Emergency services, local authorities and transport operators worked closely with bonfire societies and the local community to prepare for tonight.

Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges said: "Tonight's bonfire celebrations have passed without significant incident, and on behalf of the multi-agency group, I'd like to pass on our thanks to the community of Lewes."

Update 21.30

 As of 21.30, Lewes remains busy, despite the wet weather  

Crowds are now moving to or already on the bonfire sites.

St John’s Ambulance have treated a small number of people for minor injuries. 

One person has been arrested for a public order offence.

With no let up in the wet weather, we are urging everyone to take extra care while on the streets and bonfire sites.

Update - 20.00

The streets are currently very busy in Lewes for the annual Bonfire celebrations.

Road closures remain in place and any members of the public who were thinking of travelling to the town are urged not to attend.

With bad weather out there, we are also encouraging people to take care while walking at fire sites where the ground may be slippy.

Processions will continue through the town centre.

So far, there have been no arrests. Two people have been treated for injuries.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

Advice remains - avoid travelling to Lewes bonfire

Following announcements regarding rail strikes, the message remains to avoid travelling to Lewes Bonfire.

Network Rail have confirmed services for 5th November cannot be reinstated and to only travel by rail if absolutely necessary, meanwhile Govia Thameslink Railway have confirmed a late start-up to services will also remain for Sunday 6 November.

Read more: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/industrial-action/ 

Lewes Bonfire - an event for local people

Emergency services, local authorities and transport operators have been planning for Lewes Bonfire for many months. 

There remain serious concerns about overcrowding in the narrow streets of Lewes.

Measures, including road closures and parking restrictions, remain in place to help the event pass safely by managing the number of people attending.

Weather

With more rain and high winds forecast, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is urging everyone to take extra care. Some roads are still flooded, river levels are high and gusts of wind can affect fireworks and bonfires, adding to the risk of people being hurt or property being damaged. 

Road closure reminders

Road closures will be in place around the town from 16:00. Diversions will be in place for traffic to travel outside of the town. Lewes residents are advised to get vehicles home before 16:00 to avoid any road closures in place. Visitors are advised not to bring vehicles into the town.

The road closures will affect:

•           A27 junction with A277 Brighton Road (Ashcombe Roundabout)

•           A275 Offham Road with B2116 Plumpton Road

•           C7 Kingston Road junction with C324 Wellgreen Lane 

•           A26 junction with A2029 Malling Street 

•           A26 Malling Hill Junction with Church Lane 

Parking restrictions will begin to be imposed from 12:00.

A full list of road closures and parking restrictions is available at www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/lewesbonfire 

Read our FAQs

It is recognised there will be an impact particularly on motorists who are not planning to attend the event. The decision to bring in travel restrictions has been made in the best interests of safety. It is hoped that those who are inconvenienced will understand that and have time to make alternative arrangements where possible.

Choose Local

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