Lewes Bonfire: Road and rail changes planned for popular event

Tens of thousands of people flocked to Lewes Bonfire in 2022

Road closures and train timetable changes have been announced for a popular bonfire event.

Organisers of Lewes Bonfire in East Sussex believe more people than usual may attend this year as the event falls on 4 November, which is a Saturday.

Road closures will be in force from 16:00 GMT and no trains will stop in Lewes after 15:00 BST.

Lewes District Council said the measures would "help the event run as safely and smoothly as possible".

Last year tens of thousands flocked to the colourful extravaganza, causing the town to be "significantly overcrowded".

This year parking suspensions will be in force throughout the Lewes area from 12 noon, the council said.

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

Lewes Bonfire is organised by seven bonfire societies, many of which date back to the 19th Century

No trains will call at Lewes, Glynde, Southease, Falmer and Cooksbridge after 15:00 GMT. Services will not resume until the following morning.

The hugely-popular event is organised by seven bonfire societies, many of which date back to the 19th Century.

A Lewes District Council spokesman said: "Lewes normally becomes significantly overcrowded on bonfire night, therefore the multi-agency group's message is that this remains an event for local people."

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