Lewes station not served during bonfire night

[Jan Mayen]

I notice that, among others, Southease and Cooksbridge stations will be closed for this event. Has there being open in the past caused major issues?

It does seem a little over the top.

https://www.southernrailway.com/service-updates/service-updates/lewes-bonfire#:~:text=In%20the%20interest%20of%20public,the%20day%20of%20the%20bonfire.

In the interest of public safety, and to ensure that the event runs as smoothly and safely as possible, we have been asked again this year by the multi-agency group, including the emergency services, to not stop our trains at Lewes or the four surrounding stations after 5pm on the day of the bonfire

 

[OxtedSignaller]

I don't think the issue has been on the railway it's because the Lewes Bonfire previously attracted huge crowds and the Police and local authorities have deemed it overcrowded and unsafe so instructed the railway to cease all train services in the area. It's been happening for several years now.

 

[swt_passenger]

I don't think the issue has been on the railway it's because the Lewes Bonfire previously attracted huge crowds and the Police and local authorities have deemed it overcrowded and unsafe so instructed the railway to cease all train services in the area. It's been happening for several years now.

I found a previous post about it:

Trivia: Stations that close to passengers at times when they’d be most useful

Stations are built to satisfy passenger demand, but occasionally there are times when the pendulum swings the other way and passenger footfall exceeds capacity. In these cases, such stations cannot cope and therefore have to be closed to the public at that time. This is a common occurrence...

www.railforums.co.uk

And as you say it seems to be a case of the event being overwhelmed by incoming travellers.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

It's only a 2.5 miles walk from Cooksbridge into Lewes, so likely that's why it's not being served after 5 p.m. on Tuesday 5th November 2024. Southease is a bit further.

 

[DJ_K666]

Well, since Cooksbridge gets two trains a day thats not too much hardship. Southease nestles in Green Nowhere*. It's the Falmer and Glynde closures that cause most of the headaches.

*Bonus point for that reference...

 

[paul1609]

It's only a 2.5 miles walk from Cooksbridge into Lewes, so likely that's why it's not being served after 5 p.m. on Tuesday 5th November 2024. Southease is a bit further.

Southeases advantage is that it's a walk along the West Bank of the River Ouse directly to one of the major fire sites. If you haven't been you won't understand. It's the cumulation of the Sussex Bonfire season and most towns and villages will be sending representatives to the parade. It's fair to say the Police and authorities **** themselves about it and have done for many years. It's very politically incorrect. It's not unusual for there to be unadvertised marching bands from some of the more remote parts of the UK.

 

[DJ_K666]

Southeases advantage is that it's a walk along the West Bank of the River Ouse directly to one of the major fire sites. If you haven't been you won't understand. It's the cumulation of the Sussex Bonfire season and most towns and villages will be sending representatives to the parade. It's fair to say the Police and authorities **** themselves about it and have done for many years. It's very politically incorrect. It's not unusual for there to be unadvertised marching bands from some of the more remote parts of the UK.

I used to do medieval re-enactment with people who are members of one of the bonfire societies and help yo organise some of the parades. It's great fun although you need to be prepared to walk a fair distance.

I do wonder who the effigy will be this year...

Last year ot was Rishi Sunak riding a Southern Trains carriage. Both perfect candidates in my view.

 

[paul1609]

Think the Southern train carriage was probably a reference to the closure of the stations for the event tbh

 

[Royal351]

Well, since Cooksbridge gets two trains a day thats not too much hardship. Southease nestles in Green Nowhere*. It's the Falmer and Glynde closures that cause most of the headaches.

*Bonus point for that reference...

Cooksbridge two trains a day?

Where did you pull that number from.

They get 1 train an hour in both directions and more in the Peak

 

[DJ_K666]

Cooksbridge two trains a day?

Where did you pull that number from.

They get 1 train an hour in both directions and more in the Peak

It was an extremely limited service when I lived down there about 5 years ago. Mind you, nowadays I don't have any reason to visit there anyway.

 

[Royal351]

It was an extremely limited service when I lived down there about 5 years ago. Mind you, nowadays I don't have any reason to visit there anyway.

Fair enough, I couldn't tell you about the service at any point bar the last 18 months!

 

[DJ_K666]

Fair enough, I couldn't tell you about the service at any point bar the last 18 months!

Aside from an industrial estate there really isn't much at Cooksbridge to have a station for tbh.

 

[PGAT]

It was an extremely limited service when I lived down there about 5 years ago. Mind you, nowadays I don't have any reason to visit there anyway.

The service was made hourly in the December 2019 timetable change IIRC

 

[Jan Mayen]

I have visited Lewes Bonfire Night, back in the days when trains were slam door
After that I've been through Lewes once on Bonfire Night, having forgotten what it would be like. Changed for Glynde, tried to use the toilets (not allowed). Both stations still had a service. Thus would have been about ten years ago?

 

[172007]

"Cliffe would like to thank all their subscribers"

Yes, it's that big in Lewes many of the bonfires etc actually have subscribers who pay so theirs is bigger, better and bolder than others. If you are not from the area your won't know.

 

[swt_passenger]

I have visited Lewes Bonfire Night, back in the days when trains were slam door
After that I've been through Lewes once on Bonfire Night, having forgotten what it would be like. Changed for Glynde, tried to use the toilets (not allowed). Both stations still had a service. Thus would have been about ten years ago?

The restrictions started in 2016 according to the post I linked to earlier.

 

[DarloRich]

Makes you feel warm inside. It's the most wonderful time of the year: The standard Lewes bonfire complaints thread


You just love to see it.

 

[andylikestrain]

I’ve wondered about Lewes being closed on Bonfire night; how do commuters from London or Brighton or Eastbourne get back home in the evening?

 

[JonathanH]

I’ve wondered about Lewes being closed on Bonfire night; how do commuters from London or Brighton or Eastbourne get back home in the evening?

Travel earlier, work from home, park their car somewhere else, use a taxi, or get someone to pick them up from a station which is still open.

 

[renegademaster]

The same happens during the Edenbridge bonfire.

 

[DJ_K666]

The service was made hourly in the December 2019 timetable change IIRC

After I left the area then.

 

[ChristopherJ]

Cooksbridge acts as an alternative for the suburban housing area of Lewes to the south and for the villages of Chailey / Newick to the north.

I've never understood why it's called Cooksbridge, considering it's in Hamsey.

 

[Turtle]

Southeases advantage is that it's a walk along the West Bank of the River Ouse directly to one of the major fire sites. If you haven't been you won't understand. It's the cumulation of the Sussex Bonfire season and most towns and villages will be sending representatives to the parade. It's fair to say the Police and authorities **** themselves about it and have done for many years. It's very politically incorrect. It's not unusual for there to be unadvertised marching bands from some of the more remote parts of the UK.

Interesting. I assume you're referring to Cliffe.

 

[Deepgreen]

Cooksbridge acts as an alternative for the suburban housing area of Lewes to the south and for the villages of Chailey / Newick to the north.

I've never understood why it's called Cooksbridge, considering it's in Hamsey.

The OS map shows the station immediately adjacent to Cooksbridge, rather than what is shown as Hamsey, well over half a mile away.

 

[Horizon22]

I’ve wondered about Lewes being closed on Bonfire night; how do commuters from London or Brighton or Eastbourne get back home in the evening?

Locals know what to do and plan accordingly. This thread comes up every year and is generally a police request otherwise it becomes completely unmanageable.

 

[JamieL]

I don't think it is unreasonable to comment on the railway closing down at a time when the public actually may want to use it. Imagine if they closed the M6 on the Friday before Xmas because it might get a bit busy. Ultimately, any site with access points can be managed, it is just a question of putting people in to manage it.

 

[TUC]

This is not the only example of rail being the transport option that lets you down if a lot of people happen to want to use it. Flexible and responsive it isn't.

 

[Bald Rick]

Makes you feel warm inside. It's the most wonderful time of the year: The standard Lewes bonfire complaints thread


You just love to see it.

I’m waiting in anticipation for the annual ‘why are there no trains on Christmas Day / Boxing Day‘ thread.
That is the official start of the festive season.

 

[Statto]

It's not just the railway that's affected, buses are being diverted as well, as Lewes High Street & Mailing Down are closed

Service updates - Brighton & Hove Buses

www.buses.co.uk

• Affected routes:
• Regency 28
• Regency 29
• 29A

On the 5th of November from 16:45 until 02:00 the next morning, Lewes High Street and Malling Down in Lewes will be closed for the annual Bonfire evening.
During these times routes 28, 29 and 29A will need to use the following diversions.

Eastbound buses (Towards Tunbridge Wells / Eastbourne) will not be able to serve Lewes Prison, Lewes High Street, Waitrose, Phoenix Causeway & Tesco’s.
During these times services will need to divert via the A27 and the Cuilfail Tunnel.
Buses will then need to turn right and serve the first stop in Malling Hill. Buses will then resume a normal route towards Ringmer, Uckfield and Tunbridge Wells

Westbound buses (Towards Brighton) will not be able to serve Caffyns Lotus Garage, Phoenix Causeway, Lewes Bus Station, Lewes High Street and Lewes Prison.
During these times buses will use the A26 and passengers will need to use the bus stops in Malling Hill (The Spinneys) to head towards Brighton.
Buses will then operate non-stop via the Cuilfail Tunnel (A26) and A27 to Kingston Ridge.
There will not be a temporary bus stop near the tunnel.

Buses are, as in previous years expected to be extremely busy so please allow plenty of time for your journey.

 

[43066]

This is not the only example of rail being the transport option that lets you down if a lot of people happen to want to use it. Flexible and responsive it isn't.

Nonsense. The railway has been specifically asked not to serve Lewes due to concerns about crowding. If you want to blame anyone, the bad behaviour of many visitors to the bonfire in previous years is probably the place to start.