Authorities have urged people not to travel to Lewes Bonfire Night due to concerns of overcrowding in the town’s narrow streets.

Lewes District Council has asked those thinking of attending to consider other local displays due to the risk of injuries.

The bonfire night celebrations will also be disrupted as a result of closures to roads and industrial action on the railways making travel in and out of the town difficult.

Tim Whelan, director of service delivery at Lewes District Council, said: “We work closely with other organisations and with crowd control experts to identify where they may be problems with overcrowding.

The Argus: Crowded streets from the Bonfire Night in 2021Crowded streets from the Bonfire Night in 2021

“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.”

Fears of overcrowding have been raised after a number of injuries in past linked to the event. Nearly 900 injuries have been recorded at the event since 2010.

Doug Marshall, group manager for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We would ask that you head to locally organised fireworks events rather than coming to Lewes, as crowded streets make it harder for us to get to people in an emergency.”

Sussex Police Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges added: “We will have officers on duty to support the event’s stewarding and security teams, this includes at road closure sites as well as in the town centre itself.

“Our officers will be supporting partner agencies and Lewes District Council on the night to ensure public safety, and we are determined to ensure that this is an event everyone can enjoy safely.”

Worries were also raised in a multi-agency group statement about the lack of transport options for those travelling to Lewes for the event.

The RMT Union are currently scheduled for the day of the event on Saturday, November 5, as well as a number of road closures in the area.

The A27 junction with Brighton Road will be closed from 4pm on the day of the event among a number of closures and parking restrictions will also be in force.