Emergency services across Sussex are
urging people to support their local fireworks celebrations rather than setting
off fireworks or having bonfires in their own gardens.
The three emergency services, East
Sussex Fire and Rescue, South East Coast Ambulance and Sussex Police, are
advising people to go to their local events during the bonfire season.
Regional Operations Manager for
Resilience Chris Stamp from South East Coast Ambulance Service said:
“Common fireworks injuries include burns
and eye injuries. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says that injury
figures support the advice that the safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a
large public display - far fewer people are injured here than at smaller family
or private parties. We hope that people heed this advice.”
Staying local can also help reduce the
number of cars on the move on longer journeys late at night when you may be
tired after enjoying a celebration further afield.
David Kemp from East Sussex Fire and
Rescue Service said:
“We know that driving in the dark and
when you are tired increases the risk of accidents. Headlights can be dazzling
and if roads are wet or icy they can become even more dangerous. If you are on
the move, please slow down, ensure that you are leaving adequate space between
you and the vehicle in front, switch off your mobile phone and never drink and
drive.”
A special request is being made in
relation to Lewes bonfire on 4 November 2017.
This is considered as an event for locals
rather than large numbers of people travelling into the town and the town
quickly gets overcrowded and uncomfortable.
Speaking on behalf of a multi-agency
group, Superintendent Ed De La Rue from Sussex Police said: “In previous years
we have seen very large numbers attend the event in Lewes. The town centre
cannot safely cope with such an influx of people and trains and stations can
become dangerously over-crowded. Last year around 81 people needed treatment by
the ambulance service.”
“It is for the sake of public safety
that the multi-agency group, which includes experts from the emergency
services, has requested restricted travel arrangements and they include
road closures as well as changes to train services. We know this may cause
inconvenience to those in the local area but we do not make these decisions
lightly but the public safety has to be the top priority.”
No trains will stop at stations between
Brighton and Berwick or at Cooksbridge in East Sussex from midday on 4
November, parking restrictions begin at the same time and road closures into
Lewes start from 4.30pm.
For more information about the fireworks
displays visit here: http://staylocallewes.blogspot.co.uk/p/local-events.html
The multiagency transport group includes
British Transport Police, East Sussex County Council, East Sussex Fire &
Rescue Service, East Sussex Highways, Southern Railway, Lewes District Council,
South East Coast Ambulance Service, and Sussex Police.