Residents of Lewes who live on the main town centre procession route are reminded to make sure they plan ahead to ensure that if they have a vehicle they get it parked before 5pm. We advise that they move their vehicle to a safe place as early as possible to avoid the road closures and parking restrictions. Residents within Lewes Central Parking Zone can park:
- in bays in their own zone that are not on the procession route
- on streets that are outside the controlled parking zone.
The A275 Nevill Road and Brighton Road will be open until 7pm to allow residents of Nevill, Landport and Houndean to gain access to their homes.
All parking will be suspended on the procession route from around midday. Any vehicle parked in a suspended street after 2pm could be removed, and there may be a charge to get it back. Parking in Lewes will be limited on 5 November. The town centre procession and emergency access routes will be cleared of cars by 4pm. Parking will not be allowed on any part of the A27 or A26 trunk roads at any time and any parked vehicles will be towed away. We would advise people not to try and bring cars into Lewes for the bonfire celebrations.
The main bonfire procession route through the centre of the town will be protected to reduce overcrowding and once the town centre is full, visitors will be diverted by stewards to bonfire sites. From 5pm on 5 November the following road closures will take place:
- the C7 will be closed at the Kingston Road junction with Wellgreen Lane
- the A27 Ashcombe roundabout exit to the Brighton Road will be closed – there will be no access to Lewes
- the Offham Road will be closed at its junction the A275
- Church Lane will be closed at its junction with Malling Hill
- Mayhew Way will be closed at its junction with Church Lane
- the A26 Malling Sreet into Lewes will be closed at the Cuilfall Roundabout.
However the A275 south of its junction with Ditchling Road (the B2116) will remain open until 7pm so that local residents can get home.
The main roads of the A26 and A27 remain open for through traffic.
Southern Rail will run their scheduled services to Lewes on the evening and people should expect to queue at Brighton and other stations. Last services from Lewes depart between 12am and 12.30am depending on destination.
Superintendent Tony Blaker said: “We are pleased to support the Bonfire Societies in their annual event. We have worked closely with the Bonfire Safety Group to develop a policing plan to support this year's festivities.
“We will work with partner agencies to provide a co-ordinated response to any problems on the night. Police will work to minimise any crime and disorder and deal with any other emergency incidents that arise on the night, so that the public enjoys the celebrations in a safe and comfortable environment. We are asking people not to bring glass bottles into the town, and remind everyone that fireworks are only permitted for use by the bonfire societies.”
People will be able to get emergency services updates on twitter: @sussex_police or #lewesbonfire
A leaflet 'Lewes bonfire 2011 – Important information for residents and visitors' is available from the Lewes Tourist Information Centre, Lewes Parking Shop and Lewes District Council offices.
Useful contacts
Reference:
PR 3391
Contact the press team
East Sussex County Council