POLICE have backed plans to prevent people travelling to Lewes by train for the bonfire celebrations and claimed the move was necessary for public safety

The force has backed the decision to close stations for Lewes bonfire and has again urged people not the visit the annual event.

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.”

Trains will not call at Cooksbridge, Falmer, Glynde, Lewes, London Road and Moulsecoomb after midday on the day of the event - Saturday November 4 - for which some 60,000 revellers are expected in the town.

Parking restrictions begin at the same time and road closures into Lewes start from 4.30pm.

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

The police comments came after the travel cull was condemned by an MP.

Last week The Argus reported how Brighton Kemptown’s Lloyd Russell-Moyle said he will be writing to the Government to complain and voice the concerns of residents about the “draconian” travel restrictions.

Mr Russell-Moyle, who grew up in Lewes, said the decision, along with other travel restrictions, was “undemocratic” and would cause problems for people who have to commute to work.

In an email to the fire service Mr Russell-Moyle said: “I will be writing to the Secretary of State to make official representations of complaint and I will endeavour to make sure that this doesn’t happen next year.

“It’s interesting to note that the bonfire has happened for almost 100 years with generally little incident and in many years extra trains were put on to help ferry people away from the town.

"People already there will be stuck and this could cause greater not less public disturbance."