Travel alert! Lewes Bonfire Night less than 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 this year 5 November falls on a Saturday. 

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. 

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. 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

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

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, Southease, Falmer and Cooksbridge after 15:00 on Saturday 5th November 2022.

       Trains will not start calling again until the first trains on Sunday 6th November.

    The stop time is earlier than 2021 due to the event falling on a Saturday this year. On Friday last year, school and commuter traffic needed to be catered for.

Choose Local

People are also being encouraged to attend fireworks events closer to home and not to attend Lewes Bonfire Night. Visit: Choose Local ¦ East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (esfrs.org) for more information on local firework events across East Sussex.

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.