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