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.
