Stay Local and enjoy this bonfire weekend

With Lewes bonfire just around the corner, local agencies and emergency services are again urging people outside the town to Stay Local rather than travelling to the event.

Due to serious concerns about dangerous over-crowding and public safety, parking suspensions, road closures and changes to the train services have been put in place by a multi-agency group. This means Lewes will not be accessible from midday on Saturday 4 November until the next morning. Cars parked on the A27 or in other restricted areas will be towed away. There are very few facilities with shops and pubs closing early, and there are no organised facilities or shelters on offer for people to safely wait until everything returns to normal.

Read more about the travel restrictions on trains and main roads
Read more about parking restrictions and town centre road closures
Find out about other events this weekend 

Lewes Bonfire is run by the local Bonfire Societies, however due to the very large crowds expected, it is necessary for other organisations to be involved in planning to protect public safety. Last time trains ran unrestricted on a Saturday it is estimated that 60,000 people were in the town – compared to its usual population of 17,000. Most of them are trying to squeeze into a small section of the town which puts huge pressure on these streets, which are steep and narrow.

Superintendent Ed De La Rue from Sussex Police said: “The multi-agency group wants people to enjoy their bonfire celebrations and believes the best way to do this is to stay local. Lewes bonfire is for the people of Lewes as the town cannot cope with a huge influx of people. Difficult and pragmatic decisions have been made for the sake of public safety. As a result, you will not be able to get in and out of Lewes on 4 November due to the travel restrictions and we are asking you don’t attempt to come into the town that day.

“For those residents of Lewes who are attending the celebrations, we will have armed officers on duty in the town due to the current national terrorism threat level, tragically underlined by the attacks in London and Manchester. We are urging people to be alert not alarmed, these officers will be there to keep you safe.”

Mark Matthews, Assistant Director of Safer Communities at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “We know that Lewes can get very crowded and this raises problems with fire safety, particularly with torches being carried and people setting off fireworks where they shouldn’t. Working with other agencies, we make every effort to put measures in place to keep people safe and we ask that members of the public act responsibly by going to events in your own area instead of travelling into Lewes.”

Regional Operations Manager for Resilience Chris Stamp from South East Coast Ambulance added: “Government figures showing there are around four and a half thousand people who go to Accident and Emergency each year due to fireworks injuries and we treated around 81 people in Lewes last year.  The processions pass through very crowded streets and raise the risk of injuries. Our advice is go to a family friendly fireworks display closer to your home.”

In previous years there has been a problem with 'rookies' – rook scarers - causing serious eye injuries and we are keen to promote the use of eye protectors.

The multi-agency group includes representatives from 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.

Be alert to hearing loss

Exposure to loud noise above 85 decibels over time can cause permanent hearing damage and some fireworks can reach an uncomfortable 155 decibels in volume. Small children’s hearing is particularly sensitive.

Action on Hearing Loss recommends parents take the following easy steps to protect their ears:

• When attending the celebrations, keep a good distance from all sources of loud noise - such as fireworks or speaker systems.
• Limit the duration of exposure to loud noises, as the louder the noise the less time it takes to damage hearing permanently.
• Get your children to wear ear defenders. 

 Find out more at: https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/

Thinking of coming to Lewes Bonfire night? Think again

The advice from the multi-agency group remains do not to come to the event from outside of Lewes but find a firework display closer to home.  You can find information about local events at: http://staylocallewes.blogspot.co.uk/p/local-events.html

Roads will be closed, parking suspended and trains will not be stopping at Lewes and nearby stations. Read more about the timings of these restrictions further down this page.

Lewes town centre will be extremely busy, it will be uncomfortable as the town is small and not suitable for large crowds. Lewes has a population of 17,000 people and last time the bonfire took place on a Saturday when there weren’t travel restrictions, 60,000 people were in the town.

The event is not just a firework display but a large procession. Due to large crowds, it is unlikely you will get a good viewing position for the procession.

We also believe this event is not suitable for children and young families because of the number of people, the layout of the town, the noise and it not being a classic firework display. It could be very scary for these reasons and other events elsewhere would be more suitable.

Please note that we do not organise the event - the individual bonfire societies run their own displays and will have their own measures in place. Please check with them if you intend to attend one of their events. You can find information about the Societies here: http://www.lewesbonfirecouncil.org.uk/

Can I park nearby?

There will be parking restrictions in place in town from midday and vehicles left in areas where you cannot park will be removed. In previous years, people have parked on the verge on the A27 – this is not acceptable as it poses a risk to traffic and to pedestrians walking along the road.  This year the A27 is a clearway and the Police will be enforcing this. If you park your car on the A27 your vehicle will be towed.

Am I going to be able to get home?

There will be no trains from midday until normal Sunday services resume, there will also be limited buses and taxis and it is likely that you could be standing outside for hours, as it is November it could be cold and wet. If you do decide to go then you are responsible for your own arrangements with regard to getting home safely. The advice is to stay away from the event unless you live in Lewes. 

Will public facilities such as toilets be open? Will additional facilities be provided?

Yes. Public toilets will be open and there will be additional facilities provided on the streets of Lewes. However please note that the majority of shops and pubs close and there are no organised public areas where you can shelter if the weather gets bad.

Were there any injuries last year?

In excess of 80 people needed treatment by the ambulance service last year that included several significant eye injuries.

What do I do if I need help or first aid?

Look for a steward or police officer. St John’s Ambulance will be in attendance and you can also call 999 if it is a serious incident.

I use a wheelchair – what facilities will be available to me?

You will need to contact the bonfire societies to see what provisions they are making for the displays at their fire sites.

The procession takes place through a public space which will be very crowded and there are no viewing platforms/areas set aside.

I am bringing my young family/I have children in pushchairs – what facilities are available to me?

You will need to contact the bonfire societies to see what provisions they are making for the displays at their fire sites.

The procession takes place through a public space which will be very crowded and there are no viewing platforms/areas set aside. . Many of the streets of Lewes are narrow, steep or cobbled which can make it hard to negotiate. It will be extremely loud, which could permanently affect children’s hearing. There is also a danger of flying embers.

For these reasons we believe the procession is not suitable for young children or children in push chairs.

Can I bring alcohol and food with me?

We would advise against bringing anything in glass bottles to the event. There are no areas set aside for people to eat.

Only people over 18 can drink alcohol in public. There is a Public Space Protection Order in place covering all of Lewes: http://www.lewes.gov.uk/community/26210.asp

How will I know who the stewards are?

You will need to contact bonfire societies to find out their arrangements for their respective displays.

Stewards for the processions will be wearing high visibility jackets. Please ensure that you follow their instructions.

There will also be police officers on duty.

What should I do if I see a lit torch or a flare on the ground?

Please do not touch it under any circumstances. If you are concerned it may cause a fire e.g. it is up against a building or vehicle, or it is a safety hazard, please tell a Police Officer or steward.

Stay Local and enjoy bonfire night

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.

Parking restrictions confirmed

Please note that alongside road closures and alterations to the train services, there will be changes to parking in Lewes.

On-street parking will be suspended on certain streets in the town. Vehicles must be removed from these routes or risk being towed away if they are not. If you have a parking permit and need assistance on alternative parking locations for the evening, please contact The Parking Shop.

Lewes Parking Shop

Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm / Saturday: 9am to 1pm

Phone: 0345 680 1129

Lewes Parking Shop

 

Affected Routes

The routes marked on the map below (see interactive version) are used for processions and associated safety arrangements and subject to closures and parking changes:

Green Route - On-street parking suspended from 12 noon, vehicles risk being towed from 3pm. This road will be closed from 4.30pm to 2am.

Purple Routes - On-street parking suspended from 12 noon. Roads closed from 4.30pm until 2am.

Orange Routes - On-street parking permitted in authorised bays. Roads closed from 4.30pm until 2am.

Blue Routes - On-street parking suspended from 12 noon. Roads closed from 4.30pm until 2am.

Black Route - On-street parking suspended from 12 noon. Westbound traffic only between 5pm and 7pm (there will be no access to Lewes from the A27 during this time). Road closed from 4.30pm until 2am.

Normal parking controls for on-street and car parks will resume at 8am on 5 November.

Special travel arrangements for Lewes Bonfire

Released on behalf of British Transport Police, East Sussex County Council, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, East Sussex Highways, Lewes District Council, Southern Railway, South East Coast Ambulance Service, and Sussex Police.

Special travel arrangements for Lewes Bonfire

No trains will stop at Lewes or several neighbouring stations after midday on Saturday 4 November and road restrictions will apply.

Restricted travel arrangements have been requested by a multi-agency transport group including the emergency services. This is to help ensure the safety of the travelling public and people in the town centre, which cannot cope with a huge influx of people during the busy Lewes bonfire celebrations.

People from outside the town are being asked to “Stay Local” this bonfire season, supporting locally organised events rather than trying to come to Lewes. Check local media and websites for more information about your area or www.esfrs.org

The full travel arrangements are:

•    Trains will not be stopping at Lewes station or at London Road (Brighton), Moulsecoomb, Falmer, Glynde and Cooksbridge from midday on Saturday 4 November until normal services resume on Sunday 5 November.

•    There are road closures around Lewes:
-     The A26 will also be closed for the event through the Cuilfail Tunnel, between the Southerham roundabout (junction with the A27), and Earwig Corner (junction with the B2192 to Ringmer) between 4.30pm and 1am, in both directions as part of enhanced security measures for the event.
-    The A275 between Lewes and B2116 at Offham.
-    Brighton Road between A27 and prison cross roads in Lewes
-    Kingston Road between Lewes and Wellgreen Lane.
-    There are no designated drop-off points.

•    Detailed information about road closures including an interactive map is available from  www.lewes.gov.uk/bonfire 

•    Train information is available via online journey planners www.southernrailway.com

The move is announced as a part of special travel arrangements which will apply to the town and surrounding area that day. Residents are being asked to take note of the changes and, if they still intend to travel that day, to plan their journeys with great care. Non-Lewes residents are advised not to try and visit the town on Saturday 4 November.

The multi-agency transport group includes British Transport Police, East Sussex County Council, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, East Sussex Highways, Lewes District Council, Southern Railway,  South East Coast Ambulance Service, and Sussex Police. 

Members of the media can contact communications@esfrs.org