Train services are being changed for 5 November amid concerns that people will try to travel to Lewes despite the usual bonfire night celebrations being cancelled.

Any students and staff who are planning to go to the annual Lewes bonfire celebrations on Wednesday (5 November) might want to consider getting there on foot or by bike.

That’s because roads in the town will be closed, and parking will be restricted.

“Lewes is not set up to handle large crowds with its narrow streets and limited access into and out of the town,” says Lewes District Council. “Visitors to Lewes should be aware of the practical difficulties they will experience in getting transport to and from the event.”

For details, see the Lewes District Council website or the Lewes Bonfire Council website.

For the first time, this year one of the busiest bonfire sites, the Waterloo fire site at Malling Brooks, will be a paid-for event. This may cause further congestion and queues, say Lewes Council.

The solution? How about walking or cycling?

Getting there on foot

The Walking Society will be hosting a walk to Lewes for the celebrations: meet in Library Square at 4.30pm.

Getting there by bicycle

In conjunction with the Students’ Union and Active US, the Bike Train will be organising a mass cycle ride to Lewes from Brighton via Falmer: assemble at The Level to depart at 6pm; assemble at Falmer House to depart at 6.30pm and cycle the four miles to Lewes.

Return rides with the Bike Train will depart from Lewes Prison at 11pm and midnight.

Getting there by train

Southern Railway say they will be running a normal service, with an additional service at 10.30pm from Lewes to Brighton, calling at all stations in between.

Cycles will not be permitted on Southern services after 4pm between Brighton and Eastbourne and a queuing system will be in place at Brighton, London Road, Moulsecoomb, Falmer and Lewes stations from early evening until the end of service.

Extra time should be allowed for journeys, as trains are expected to be extremely busy and it may not be possible for passengers to catch their first choice of train.

Further information, including times of the last trains to depart from Lewes, is available on the Southern website.

Getting there by bus

Brighton & Hove Buses say that from 4.30pm, all services to Lewes, including the number 28 bus that serves the Sussex campus, will be diverted in Lewes.

Relief buses are being sourced for late in the evening in order to help clear the crowds.

Details are available on the Brighton & Hove Buses website.