Lewes Bonfire is back but safety chiefs are urging the public to stay away from an event which has traditionally drawn crowds of tens of thousands.
Once again, roads will be closed and trains will skip Lewes and neighbouring stations on Friday 5 November, inconveniencing commuters and students as part of an attempt to keep people away.
And while Bonfire was cancelled last year because of the coronavirus, officials have warned that the risk of passing on the virus could be greater if the streets are overcrowded next week.
Adding to official concerns is that this year Bonfire will be held on a Friday, making the event potentially more attractive than usual.
A multi-agency group, led by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Please don’t travel to Lewes bonfire night.
“With Lewes Bonfire Night just days away and the number of covid cases steadily increasing, members of the public are being urged not to travel to the event.
“Last year’s cancellation due to covid restrictions and the fact that 5 November falls on a Friday could make it more popular this year.
“Measures, including changes to train services and road closures, are being brought in to help the event pass safely by managing the number of people attending.
“Emergency services, local authorities and transport operators have been planning for the celebrations for many months.”
East Sussex director of public health Darrell Gale said: “Cases have risen significantly in East Sussex over the last few weeks, demonstrating that coronavirus remains a serious health risk.
“We know that Bonfire usually brings people together but these celebrations unfortunately could mean a peak in cases afterwards which will naturally impact on the NHS.
“We urge everyone to wear face coverings, both inside and outside for events, and socially distance as much as possible – especially in homes and pubs. Let’s prevent a two-week peak.”
He added: “It is still possible to catch and spread covid-19, even if you are fully vaccinated. You should stay cautious to help protect yourself and others.”
He urged those planning to attend to take a “lateral flow test” beforehand and if it is positive, to stay home follow it up with a “PCR” test.
Officials also said that there were concerns about overcrowding in the narrow streets of Lewes.
Lewes District Council official Jo Dunk said: “We work closely with other organisations and with crowd control experts to identify where they may be problems with overcrowding.
“We will have stewards working on the night, giving people advice on where they should avoid and we ask that anyone who chooses to attend follows this guidance to help keep people safer.”
The multi-agency group said that 896 injuries had been reported since 2010. Many of those injured were hurt on the procession routes and by bangers or other fireworks.
Fire chief Nigel Cusack said: “Fireworks are by their very nature able to cause serious injuries, as well as pose a fire risk.
“Crowded spaces make it harder for us to reach emergencies which is why we would like people from outside of Lewes to attend events nearer them to reduce the number of people in the town.”
And Temporary Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges, from Sussex Police, said: “Unfortunately, every year the event is held we make arrests.
“In 2019 this included arrests on suspicion of assaulting police, carrying weapons and possession of drugs. This is clearly not acceptable.
“Our officers will be supporting other emergency services and Lewes District Council on the night to put public safety first.”
The multi-agency group said: “Road closures will be in place around the town from 4.45pm.
“Diversions will be in place for traffic to travel outside of the town. Lewes residents are advised to get vehicles home before 4.30pm 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)
- A27 junction with A26 (Southerham Roundabout)
- A26 junction with B2192 Ringmer Road (Earwig Corner)
- C7 Kingston Road junction with C324 Wellgreen Lane
- A275 Offham Road junction with B2116 Plumpton Road
- A27 junction with Southerham Lane (Cliffe Industrial Estate)
…
“Parking restrictions will begin to be imposed from noon.
“A full list of road closures and parking restrictions will be available at www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/lewesbonfire.
“Plans for rail travel on Friday 5 November are as follows
- There will be no trains calling at Lewes, Glynde, and Southease after 5pm.
- There will be no trains calling at Cooksbridge after the 4.24pm from Victoria to Eastbourne has stopped there at 5.23pm – the same as previous years following representations and review.
- There will be no trains calling at Falmer after the departure of the 6.31pm Brighton to Hastings service at 6.40pm. This is a change from previous years when the last train was at 5pm and it has been made in response to feedback.
“No trains will call at the above stations until the first timetabled trains on the morning of Saturday 6 November.”
Have you taken the time to actually check who, why and where the alleged arrests took place at Lewes Bonfire, Then correlated that with how the alleged arrests were disposed of? The police have for some 5 years now stopped the free flow of residents and visitors to the town, You have to ask your self why is this. Its mainly to do with a report from 2015 apparently although this has never been released to the public.or indeed the bonfire societies. This year the issue is in fact more about the number of officers from the south of England being seconded due to COP26 Lewes bonfire is a safe event, it is not marred by rowdyism and suffers possibly in some areas of the town from over-exuberant students from brighton area. The bonfire societies marshall themselves and conduct themselves impeccably, the crowds in general are in good spirit and cause no issues to anyone. The trains should have been left alone, apart from a loss to the public purse of excess of £250k in revenue, they allowed the public, who will continue to visit no matter what the authorities state, to dispers quickly and avoid large numbers walking on the roads out side town to parked cars.etc. 2021 is not a full return to normality, Covid remains a clear and present issue. we will see how 2022 pans out, when it is expected that a new senior police member will be in the chair. The whole bonfire scenario still seems to appear as one of them and us, Lewes bonfire is after all the best-known celebration of its type in the UK, possibly the world. The bonfire societies are proud of it and work hard to keep it the vibrant but traditional event it is. It puts Lewes & Sussex on the map for tourism. Only the 5th is a single event, the associated events continue throughout the year. with a whole list of linked events,