Eastbourne
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The useful things happening across Eastbourne right now — local news, travel, public information and what’s on. Routine updates stay here; major stories receive their own full article.
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Only updates that remain useful and can be traced to an authoritative source are included.
Burst main leaves Kirkstall Close customers without water or with low pressure
Water outageSouth East Water says a complex burst-main repair is under way at Kirkstall Close, Eastbourne. An earlier official update said bottled water had been left at every affected property. Residents can follow the incident for text updates; the supplier’s 24-hour emergency number is 0333 000 0365.
No direct London–Eastbourne trains while the Lewes line remains closed
Major disruptionTravel via Brighton and change there. Replacement buses run between Haywards Heath and Lewes, calling at Plumpton and Cooksbridge. Journey planners are correct through Friday 28 August; for later dates, check again nearer the time.
Mill Gap Road remains closed for emergency utility repairs
Road closureUK Power Networks is carrying out emergency utility repair and maintenance work. The East Sussex permit records a full road closure and an alternative route for pedestrians.
Kings Drive overnight closure affects hospital access and buses
Night worksA2021 Kings Drive is closed to through traffic between Hospital and Rodmill roundabouts during working hours. Hospital access is maintained. Route 28 cannot serve the Eastbourne General Hospital stops between 8pm and 5am; use Rutland Close or Selmeston Road.
Early-Friday buses replace trains between Three Bridges and Brighton
Planned rail workBuses replace trains between Three Bridges and Brighton during the final night of this engineering work. Passengers making late-night or early-morning London journeys via Brighton should allow extra time and check the journey planner.
A295 gas works change journeys through south Hailsham
Nearby travelSGN’s gas-main project has also closed Diplocks Way for about three weeks. Routes 28 and 500 are diverted and do not serve Gordon Road, Ropemaker Park or Ingrams Way; passengers should use Hailsham Police Station towards Eastbourne or Hailsham Tesco towards Brighton.
Hosepipe restriction remains in force for South East Water customers
Water restrictionCustomers should not use hosepipes to water gardens, wash cars, patios or boats, or fill swimming and paddling pools. Some health, animal-welfare, business and water-recycling exemptions apply; check the supplier’s guidance if you are unsure.
Terminus Road closure continues during town-centre works
Town-centre worksTerminus Road remains closed to vehicles between Bolton Road and Langney Road. Paving continues on Bolton Road outside Nationwide and Déjà vu, with access maintained. Designated Langney Road areas remain available for taxis, disabled users and 20-minute unloading.
A22 Shinewater Bridge works continue with the road remaining open
A22 worksMost work is beneath the bridge on Golden Jubilee Way, so the road remains open. East Sussex Highways says overnight lane closures are planned in October; check the scheme page for dates before travelling.
NHS begins invitation-only HPV home-test rollout
NHS screeningPeople aged 30–65 who are not up to date after previous cervical-screening invitations will be offered free home kits in phases. Wait for an NHS invitation through the app, text, email or letter; routine clinician screening remains the preferred option for regular attenders.
GP-based community dermatology services remain suspended
NHS serviceThis applies to community dermatology services delivered from GP practices in East Sussex, not all dermatology care. Affected patients do not need to act: the NHS says referrals are being transferred to Sussex Community Dermatology Service, with urgent and two-week-wait referrals prioritised.
Plan prescriptions and NHS care before the bank holiday
NHS servicesNHS Surrey and Sussex advises checking repeat medicines before Monday. For urgent but non-life-threatening needs use NHS 111; community pharmacies can help with common conditions, and official bank-holiday opening information is available online.
Children travel free on most East Sussex buses this August
Travel offerChildren aged 5–15 can travel free on most participating services. Each operator sets its own rules for proof of age, accompanying adults and passenger numbers, so check with the operator before travelling.
Victoria Place Pop-up Park remains open
Open nowThe temporary park on Terminus Road has seating, food and drink nearby, and live music on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Organisers advise that daily times can vary.
Coming up
Dates and times are taken from organisers. Check the linked listing before setting off.
British Open Masters Grass Court Championships
TennisThe over-35s tournament is staged on Eastbourne’s outdoor grass courts. The official visitor listing says spectators can attend free of charge.
Free family Make Space
Free drop-inTowner lists Make Space from 10am–4.30pm during the school holiday. Some artist-led activity sessions include a midday break, so check the day’s details before travelling; academy holiday dates can differ.
Eastbourne Seafront Market
MarketContinental-style stalls return to the seafront for six days. The official listing does not publish daily opening times, so check before making a special journey.
1812 Fireworks & Proms
BandstandLewes, Glynde & Beddingham Brass performs at the Bandstand. The evening is scheduled to end with the 1812 Overture and fireworks.
Five Eastbourne theatre and terrace events through Sunday
TheatreThe Ballad of Johnny and June and Stepping Out continue through Saturday. APA’s A Night To Shine is 6.30pm Saturday; Emerald Storm is 7.30pm Sunday. Free Tunes on the Terrace runs at the Congress Theatre Welcome Building from 1–10pm Sunday.
Sussex Art Shuttle runs from Towner
Art busCuckmere Buses route 39 connects Towner Eastbourne with participating Sussex art venues. Fares are £3 for a single journey or £5 for a day ticket; under-19s travel free.
Pour Decisions street party
Mark LaneMark Lane is scheduled to become an outdoor evening venue with bars, seating, lighting and music on two consecutive weekends.
Bandstand tribute weekend
MusicThree consecutive tribute nights are listed at Eastbourne Bandstand, with performances expected to finish at about 9.30pm.
East Sussex Living History Festival
Nearby festivalThe bank-holiday festival brings reenactments, combat displays, historical crafts and family activities to Michelham Priory’s grounds.
Eastbourne Town host two bank-holiday fixtures
FootballThe Saturday match is an FA Trophy tie; the Monday game is an Isthmian League fixture. Check the club’s official listings before travelling.
Eastbourne Borough v Leatherhead
FootballThe Sports’ next listed home fixture is against Leatherhead.
Royal Hippodrome programme through 10 September
TheatreUltimate MOD Revue is 7.30pm Saturday 29 August. A theatre tour is 10.30am and Let There Be Love is 8.15pm Wednesday 2 September; Looking for Ghosts is 8.30pm Friday 4 September; and a Tina Turner tribute is 7.30pm Saturday 5 September. Let There Be Love returns at 8.15pm Wednesday 9 September; An Evening of Mediumship with Martin Hopgood is 7.30pm Thursday 10 September, with tickets listed at £23.50.
Four free participatory arts sessions in Eastbourne
Free artsDevonshire Collective lists experimental filmmaking at Gorringe Road Allotments on Sunday from 11am–2pm; its Collective Book Club at VOLT on Thursday from 5.30–7pm; and The Draft making session plus a lino-print drop-in at VOLT on Saturday from noon–2pm. Check the organiser pages for booking details.
Free guided walk along Eastbourne promenade
FreeThe approximately 90-minute walk explores how Eastbourne developed as a seaside resort. No booking is required.
Lewes v Eastbourne Borough
Away fixtureEastbourne Borough’s bank-holiday away fixture is a short local trip to Lewes.
Overnight rail work changes Eastbourne services in early September
Planned rail workFrom about 12.30–3am on 1–4 September, buses replace trains between Lewes and Eastbourne. On 7–11 September, the Haywards Heath–Lewes line closes overnight; affected late services are diverted via Brighton and replacement buses link Haywards Heath, Lewes, Seaford, Eastbourne and Hastings.
Willingdon Drove night works and closures start next week
Eastbourne travelDrainage works near Shinewater Roundabout come before resurfacing. From 7 September, Willingdon Drove will close to through traffic between Shinewater Roundabout and about 50 metres north-east of Larkspur Drive. The signed diversion is via A22 Golden Jubilee Way, B2247 Dittons Road and B2104 Friday Street; work is scheduled through 26 September with no weekend working.
Free guided walk around historic Meads
FreeA guided neighbourhood walk exploring the history and architecture of Meads. No booking is required.
East Sussex Fire Authority meeting is open to the public
Public meetingThe authority overseeing fire and rescue services across East Sussex will meet in the Council Chamber. Members of the public and press may attend the public sessions, and the agenda is available online.
Climate Eco Café at Towner
FreeTowner’s free evening Climate Eco Café offers a space to meet and discuss climate and ecological concerns. Advance booking is required.
Bandstand programme for 4–10 September
Music and danceTake That and Motown tribute shows are listed for Friday and Saturday, with doors at 7pm and shows at 8pm. Southdowns Concert Band plays Sunday from 3–about 4.30pm; the Neil Diamond tribute is listed for 7pm Sunday. Dance Through the Decades is Thursday 10 September from 7.30–9pm; tickets are listed at £12 adults, £8 seniors and £6 children, plus a service fee.
Dog Man: The Musical
Family theatreThe family musical plays three performances at the Devonshire Park Theatre. Tickets are listed from £27; under-14s must attend with an adult.
Eastbourne Farmers Market
MarketLocal farms and makers bring food, drink and other produce to the monthly market in Devonshire Park.
Learn to Nordic walk
Active ageingThe East Sussex Full of Life programme lists a beginner session covering Nordic-pole technique, foot placement and alignment. The cost is £10 and advance booking is required; contact details are on the official listing.
Edible Ecology walk on the South Downs
Guided walkTowner’s guided walk explores edible ecologies around Black Robin Farm. Tickets are £24 or £12 concessions; the organiser advises that the route crosses uneven South Downs terrain.
Behind the Scenes at Towner
TicketedA guided introduction to Towner’s collection of more than 5,000 works, including its purpose-built art store. Tickets are £11, or £10 concessions.
Comrades in Art: Four Key Women
Gallery talkA Towner talk linked to the Comrades in Art exhibition. Tickets are £12 and include exhibition entry.
That’ll Be The Day
MusicEastbourne Theatres lists the touring music show in the Congress Theatre’s main auditorium. Tickets are listed from £31.50.
Community garden volunteer drop-in
FreeEast Sussex County Council’s Full of Life programme lists a step-free volunteer session helping maintain and improve the recreation ground’s green spaces. No booking is required; sessions then continue fortnightly.
Full coverage when it matters
Serious incidents, major public decisions and significant disruptions are published as standalone news articles once the central facts are verified. Developing coverage will be updated rather than duplicated.
Current major stories: Eastbourne warning ended and Polegate flood alert removed · Lewes derailment: line reopening planned for 1 September · Willingdon Drove overnight closure