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.
