Final update - Lewes Bonfire 2021

We would like to thank everyone who has helped make Lewes Bonfire 2021 a largely trouble-free night.

It has been busier than the last celebrations in 2019, with an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 people attending.

It has taken months of planning and preparation by emergency services, local authorities and transport operators who have worked closely with bonfire societies and the local community.

Measures such as travel restrictions were put in place amid concerns that more people than usual would come to Lewes because of last year’s cancellation.

As of 00.45 on 6 November, the majority of crowds have now dispersed.

One person was rescued from the river at around 18.20 on 5 November. They did not need hospital treatment.

St John’s Ambulance and South East Coast Ambulance treated around 50 people, including a number with eye and hand injuries. 

Sussex Police have made six arrests.

Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges said: "I'd like to thank the community of Lewes for behaving responsibly and allowing tonight's bonfire celebrations to pass without significant incident.

"A very small and isolated minority of people chose to engage in crime and/or disorder but were dealt with effectively by our officers on the ground, minimising any disruption to the proceedings and helping us to keep people safe." 

The clean up operation will now begin in order to open roads.

Lewes bonfire update at 22.00

As of 22.00, Lewes Bonfire night has been generally trouble free.

The town remains busy with many people now having moved to the bonfire sites.

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

Sussex Police are investigating one allegation of assault, with one person in custody. No further details are being released at this time.

One person was rescued from the river in the town at around 18.20. It was earlier reported the individual was taken to hospital - this is not the case as they were assessed in the town and did not need hospital treatment.

Lewes Bonfire - update 19.30

Lewes Bonfire night is underway, with the town busy as processions continue.

One person has been rescued after falling into the river at around 18.20.

As of 19.30 no arrests have been made.

We would like to remind people to take extra care, especially around water and with fireworks in the cold and dark.

Please don't travel to Lewes bonfire night

With Lewes Bonfire Night just days away and the number of Covid cases steadily increasing, members of the public are being urged not to travel to the event.

Last year’s cancellation due to Covid restrictions and the fact 5 November falls on a Friday could make it more popular this year. Measures, including changes to train services and road closures, are being brought in to help the event pass safely by managing the number of people attending.

Emergency services, local authorities and transport operators have been planning for the celebrations for many months. 

Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health at East Sussex County Council said: 

“Cases have risen significantly in East Sussex over the last few weeks, demonstrating that coronavirus remains a serious health risk. We know that bonfire usually brings people together, but these celebrations unfortunately could mean a peak in cases afterwards, which will naturally impact on the NHS. We urge everyone to wear face coverings both inside and outside for events, and socially distance as much as possible – especially in homes and pubs. Let’s prevent a two-week peak.”

He added:

“It is still possible to catch and spread COVID-19, even if you are fully vaccinated. You should stay cautious to help protect yourself and others. If you are local and plan to attend, we recommend you take a Lateral Flow Test beforehand and stay home if it is positive. This should be followed up by a PCR test. You should also check in via NHS Test and Trace wherever possible. Remember it is never too late to book your vaccine.”

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

Jo Dunk from Lewes District Council said:

“We work closely with other organisations and with crowd control experts to identify where they may be problems with over-crowding. We will have stewards working on the night, giving people advice on where they should avoid and we ask that anyone who chooses to attend follows this guidance to help keep people safer.”

Since 2010, 896 injuries were reported. Many of these were hurt on the procession routes and by bangers or other fireworks. 

Nigel Cusack, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager said:

“Fireworks are by their very nature able to cause serious injuries, as well as pose a fire risk. Crowded spaces make it harder for us to reach emergencies which is why we would like people from outside of Lewes to attend events nearer them to reduce the number of people in the town.”

T/Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges  from Sussex Police said:

“Unfortunately, every year the event is held we make arrests. In 2019 this included arrests on suspicion of assaulting police, carrying weapons and possession of drugs. This is clearly not acceptable. Our officers will be supporting other emergency services and Lewes District Council on the night to put public safety first.”

Road

Road closures will be in place around the town from 4.45pm. Diversions will be in place for traffic to travel outside of the town. Lewes residents are advised to get vehicles home before 4.30pm 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)

•         A27 junction with A26 (Southerham Roundabout)

•         A26 junction with B2192 Ringmer Road (Earwig Corner)

•         C7 Kingston Road junction with C324 Wellgreen Lane

•         A275 Offham Rd junction with B2116 Plumpton Road

•         A27 junction with Southerham Lane (Cliffe Industrial Estate)

Parking restrictions will begin to be imposed from noon.

A full list of road closures and parking restrictions will be available at

www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/lewesbonfire 

Rail

Plans for rail travel on 5 November are as follows: 

• There will be no trains calling at Lewes, Glynde, and Southease after 17.00. 

• There will be no trains calling at Cooksbridge after the 16.24 from Victoria to Eastbourne has stopped there at 17.23 - the same as previous years following representations and review. 

• There will be no trains calling at Falmer after the departure of the 18.31 Brighton to Hastings service at 18.40. This is a change from previous years when the last train was at 17.00, and it has been made in response to feedback. 

No trains will call at the above stations until the first timetabled trains on the morning of 6 November. 

Read our FAQs

It is recognised there will be an impact on train passengers and road users 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.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19/events-and-attractions

Travel alert! Lewes Bonfire Night just four weeks away

Emergency Services and other organisations are reminding people that Lewes Bonfire night celebrations mean road closures and changes to train services.

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

Lewes Bonfire night presents a unique challenge to the multi-agency group tasked with ensuring public safety, particularly because the Bonfire Societies cancelled events last year due to Covid-19 guidance and legislation, and this year 5 November falls on a Friday. 

This is likely to make it 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. 

Additionally, it is important to remember that the fireworks sites are strictly ticket-only. Capacity at sites is determined on the basis of safety and the events may be affected by Covid guidance from Government: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-covid-19/events-and-attractions.

This is why the multi-agency group cannot be complacent and have taken a number of actions ahead of the event, as well as providing extra guidance relating to Covid.

Covid guidance for locals planning to attend

• Help keep everyone safe by having your vaccination and taking a Lateral Flow test before the event
• If you have possible Covid symptoms, please stay home and get a test
• Check in via NHS Test and Trace wherever possible

Covid guidance for local businesses and licensed premises 

• Encourage people to check in by displaying the NHS Track and Trace QR code and app
• Encourage social distancing measures including one-way systems and queue management
• Encourage good hygiene for staff and customers by continuing to provide sufficient hand sanitising stations and having robust cleaning and disinfection regimes in place
• Ensure adequate ventilation in inside or crowded places
• As with previous years, a series of travel restrictions will be introduced for 5 November 2021 to help reduce the risks associated with this event and safely reduce the number of people attending. 

These are being confirmed ahead of the event in order to allow people more time to plan. People are also being encouraged to attend fireworks events closer to home and not to attend Lewes Bonfire Night.

Road

Road closures will be in place around the town from 4.45pm. Diversions will be in place for traffic to travel outside of the town. Lewes residents are advised to get vehicles home before 4.30pm 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)

•         A27 junction with A26 (Southerham Roundabout)

•         A26 junction with B2192 Ringmer Road (Earwig Corner)

•         C7 Kingston Road junction with C324 Wellgreen Lane

•         A275 Offham Rd junction with B2116 Plumpton Road

•         A27 junction with Southerham Lane (Cliffe Industrial Estate)

Parking restrictions will begin to be imposed from noon.

A full list of road closures and parking restrictions will be available at

www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/lewesbonfire 

Rail

Plans for rail travel on 5 November are as follows: 

• There will be no trains calling at Lewes, Glynde, and Southease after 17.00. 

• There will be no trains calling at Cooksbridge after the 16.24 from Victoria to Eastbourne has stopped there at 17.23 - the same as previous years following representations and review. 

• There will be no trains calling at Falmer after the departure of the 18.31 Brighton to Hastings service at 18.40. This is a change from previous years when the last train was at 17.00, and it has been made in response to feedback. 

No trains will call at the above stations until the first timetabled trains on the morning of 6 November. 

Read our FAQs

It is recognised there will be an impact on train passengers and road users 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.

Details of Lewes Bonfire operation are revealed

Changes to train services and a number of road closures have been confirmed as part of plans to keep Lewes Bonfire night running as safely and smoothly as possible.

Planning is going ahead despite it being unclear what Covid-19 restrictions may be in place this November. Last year, the Bonfire Societies had to cancel all displays and processions and Covid-19 remains a risk to both visitors and locals.

Usually, the event attracts tens of thousands of people to the town, prompting concerns about over-crowding particularly in popular areas such as the War Memorial. 

There are growing concerns that more people than usual will come to Lewes because of last year’s cancellation and because it takes place on a Friday

Combined with significant amounts of fireworks, this presents a unique challenge to the multi-agency group tasked with ensuring public safety.

As with previous years, a series of travel restrictions will be introduced for the 5th November 2021 to help reduce the risks associated with this event and safely reduce the number of people attending.

These are being confirmed well ahead of the event in order to allow people more time to plan. People are also being encouraged to attend fireworks events closer to home.

Road 

Road closures will be in place around the town from 4.45pm. Diversions will be in place for traffic to travel outside of the town. Lewes residents are advised to get vehicles home before 4.30pm 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)

• A27 junction with A26 (Southerham Roundabout)

• A26 junction with B2192 Ringmer Road (Earwig Corner)

• C7 Kingston Road junction with C324 Wellgreen Lane

• A275 Offham Rd junction with B2116 Plumpton Road

• A27 junction with Southerham Lane (Cliffe Industrial Estate)

Parking restrictions will begin to be imposed from noon.

A full list of road closures and parking restrictions will be available at

www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/lewesbonfire 

Rail

Plans for rail travel on 5th November are as follows: 

• There will be no trains calling at Lewes, Glynde, and Southease after 17.00. 

• There will be no trains calling at Cooksbridge after the 16.24 from Victoria to Eastbourne has stopped there at 17.23 - the same as previous years following representations and review. 

• There will be no trains calling at Falmer after the departure of the 18.31 Brighton to Hastings service at 18.40. This is a change from previous years when the last train was at 17.00, and it has been made in response to feedback. 

No trains will call at the above stations until the first timetabled trains on the morning of the 6th November. 

Read our FAQs