Lewes Bonfire Night is set to draw tens of thousands to the town on November 5 and bring road closures, parking restrictions and railway station closures with it.
Sussex Police has warned that the annual event creates a “unique challenge” in ensuring public safety due to the masses of people that attend and concerns over overcrowding.
Here is all the travel information you need to know ahead of the event:
Road closures
A number of road closures will be in place from 4.45pm on the day, including:
- 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.
Train travel
A number of railway stations will be closed, including Lewes, Falmer, Cooksbridge, Glynde and Southease from 5pm on November 5 till first trains on November 6.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “The last train passing through will call at all the stations due to be closed to assist customers getting home; this is new for this year to aid more people getting home.
“Commuters are advised to check travel times, especially returning to the area from London stations, with the last scheduled trains stopped at these five stations being much earlier in the afternoon.”
Parking
On-street parking will also be suspended from 12pm on certain roads.
Lewes Borough Council has created a map of different routes subject to restrictions.
Purple and blue routes will be closed from 4.45pm till 2am with parking suspended from 12pm.
Westbound traffic only will be granted on the black route, the A277 Brighton Road, from 4.45pm till 7pm and the road will be closed from 4.45pm till 2am. Parking will be suspended from 12pm. Motorists will not be able to access Lewes from the A27.
The orange route will be closed from 5pm to 2am. Parking will be allowed in authorised bays.
The green route, the A26 Malling Hill, will be open to through traffic although on-street parking will be suspended from 12pm.
“Vehicles must be removed from these routes or risk being towed away if they are not”, Sussex Police warned.
People with parking permits who require alternate parking arrangements can contact East Sussex County Council on 01273 335500 or parking.information@eastsussex.gov.uk.
‘Do not attend’
Sussex Police have also urged people to attend their local bonfire events and not to attend Lewes Bonfire Night.
A spokesman for the force added: “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.”