Travel restrictions announced for Lewes Bonfire

Bob DaleBBC News, South East
News imageGetty Images Burning crosses being carried through the streets of Lewes, as a large crowd of people watch.Getty Images
The annual Lewes Bonfire attracts thousands of people to the town

People planning to attend the Lewes Bonfire are being warned about road closures and travel restrictions.

The annual event takes place on 5 November, with tens of thousands expected to line the streets for the parade.

Lewes is the biggest of the bonfires held across Sussex held between September and November every year.

As well as Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up Parliament, it also commemorates 17 Protestant martyrs burnt to death by the Roman Catholic Mary I in the town in the 1500s.

News imageGetty Images Women dressed in Tudor costumes carrying flaming torches through the streets of Lewes during its annual bonfire event.Getty Images
The event commemorates events that took place during the Tudor period

On-street parking will be suspended from midday onwards on 5 November, with road closures in place from 16:45 GMT, with any vehicles left on the roads at risk of being towed.

These include the A27 at its junction with the A277 and the A26 at its junctions with Malling Street, Malling Hill and Church Lane.

A full list of road closures is available on Lewes District Council's website.

Roads are expected to reopen about 02:00 GMT on 6 November.

News imageGetty Images A large group of people standing around the Lewes Bonfire watching the flames leap into the sky.Getty Images
Lewes is the largest of the bonfire events held in Sussex every autumn

Rail and bus services will also be affected, with anyone planning to use public transport advised to check on the websites of Southern Railway, National Rail and Brighton and Hove Buses.

Lewes, Falmer, Cooksbridge, Glynde and Southease railway stations will be closed from 17:00 GMT on 5 November until the following morning, with commuters who usually use this route to get home from London urged to check ahead.

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