Southern trains will not stop at Falmer or Lewes from 5pm on 5 November; the last Lewes train to Brighton is 16:44. Rye station shuts from 3pm on 14 November.

Southern has confirmed that its trains will not stop at Falmer, Lewes, Cooksbridge, Glynde or Southease from 5pm on Thursday 5 November, Lewes Bonfire night, and that Rye station will close from 3pm on Saturday 14 November for that town’s bonfire celebrations.

The Lewes arrangements were set out in a joint release from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which runs Southern, on 30 October, issued on behalf of the councils, the emergency services, Southern and Brighton & Hove Buses. The Rye closure followed in a second GTR release on 3 November, which GTR’s press office sent to The Brighton Times.

Thursday: Falmer and Lewes

For Brighton readers, Falmer is the station that matters. Students at the two universities and anyone heading to or from the stadium side of the city will find trains running straight through it from 5pm on Thursday until the start of service on Friday 6 November.

GTR’s notes to editors list the last trains out of Lewes that afternoon:

  • 16:44 to Brighton, calling at all stations to Brighton
  • 16:55 to London Victoria, calling at Cooksbridge and Wivelsfield, then the usual stops to London
  • 16:59 to Ore, calling at Polegate, Eastbourne and then all stations to Ore
  • 17:02 to Seaford, calling at all stations to Seaford except Southease

Commuters coming home from London are warned that the last trains from London Victoria to the closed stations leave at 3.24pm and 3.54pm. GTR adds that some local stations, such as Berwick and Southease, will have an earlier last train than usual, and that train times on southernrailway.com have been updated.

The release says the aim is to “further reduce the number attending” Lewes, where “there remain serious concerns about overcrowding in the narrow streets”. It adds: “Every year, dozens of injuries are reported, many being on the procession routes and by bangers or other fireworks.” Because of the crowds, the narrow streets, the noise and the smoke, the event “is not suitable for young children or dogs”.

Roads into Lewes close from 4.45pm, including at the A27 junction with the A277 Brighton Road (Ashcombe Roundabout), the A275 Offham Road at the B2116 Plumpton Road, the C7 Kingston Road at Wellgreen Lane, the A26 at Malling Street, the A26 Church Lane at Mayhew Way, and The Drove at Hamsey Lane. Parking restrictions start from noon. Closures, parking and FAQs are on Lewes District Council’s bonfire page.

Group Manager Paul Coppard of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “We ask people to support their local organised fireworks events instead of travelling to Lewes on the 5th November. We have been working hard with the organisers and our partners to put plans in place to ensure we keep our community safe across East Sussex.”

Chief Superintendent Graham Barnett of Sussex Police said officers would be on patrol and that “any criminality and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. Enforcement action will be taken against anyone who puts others at risk or ignores event restrictions, including those bringing their own fireworks.” Anyone who sees something that does not seem right is asked to tell a steward or an officer, or call 999 in an emergency.

Bonfire night station closures. Thursday 5 November from 5pm: Falmer, Lewes, Cooksbridge, Glynde and Southease. Last train Lewes to Brighton 16:44, all stations. Last trains from Victoria to these stations 3.24pm and 3.54pm. Stops resume at the start of service on Friday 6 November. Saturday 14 November from 3pm: Rye, for the town's bonfire celebrations; stops resume at the normal start of service on Sunday 15 November. Source: GTR press releases, 30 October and 3 November 2026.
The two bonfire closures on Southern. Graphic by The Brighton Times
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Saturday 14 November: Rye

Rye station will close from 3pm on the day of the town’s bonfire celebrations and reopen at the regular start of service on Sunday 15 November. GTR says this is “for reasons of public safety”, as in previous years, and that Southern’s service “cannot accommodate the number of people expected to visit the town”, leaving “a very real risk that visitors would be stranded” because they could not board the last train home.

Paul Wyborn, Southern’s area manager, said: “As with previous years, Rye railway station will be closed for reasons of public safety, from 3pm on the day of the town bonfire celebrations.

“Community organisers and members of the local multi-agency Safety Advisory Group have helped us reach this decision.

“Trains will run through Rye without stopping until the normal start of service next day, Sunday 15 November, and online journey planners such as nationalrail.co.uk have been updated with this revised timetable. Please consider your alternatives if you’re planning to travel that day.”

A large bonfire of burning pallets at night, with a figure in a feathered hat silhouetted at the rope in front
A bonfire burning at night, with a figure in a feathered hat at the rope in front. Photo: supplied by GTR

The closure has the backing of Rye Bonfire Society and the police. James Foster, the society’s chair, said: “We support Southern’s decision. The closure of Rye station limits the numbers coming from out of town and prevents an influx of youths who, in the past, have caused trouble. It has a noticeable positive impact on crowd behaviour, and this is clearly demonstrated by the reduction in police incidents.”

Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor of Sussex Police said: “To ensure public safety, a decision has been made to close Rye Station during the bonfire event. Police officers will be working closely with partners to maintain order, prevent crime, and respond swiftly to any incidents.”

The Rye Safety Advisory Group is made up of Rother District Council, the emergency services and emergency planning, Rye Bonfire Society and Southern, according to GTR.

What it means for you

  • If you use Falmer on Thursday, be on a train before 5pm or plan another way home. Brighton & Hove Buses’ Regency routes 28, 29 and 29A also divert round Lewes from 4.45pm; the details are on our Brighton roadworks and travel page.
  • If you were thinking of going to Lewes or Rye, every agency involved is asking you not to. Both releases advise people to go to a display near home instead. Ours is the ticketed fireworks night at the Hove county ground on Saturday 7 November: see fireworks and bonfire night in Brighton, and East Sussex Fire and Rescue lists others on its Choose Local page.
  • If you travel east along the coast on 14 November, check your journey on National Rail before setting out: trains will pass through Rye without stopping from 3pm.

Sources