Last updated: 5 October 2026 at 05:24 BST
An A27 Lewes road closure tonight will shut the eastbound carriageway from Ashcombe roundabout to Southerham from 9pm on Monday 5 October until 6am on Tuesday. It overlaps with a separate overnight closure of the A26 between South Heighton and the South Downs Way, affecting late journeys from Brighton towards Lewes, Newhaven, Seaford and Eastbourne.
In short
- The A27 eastbound closes fully between Ashcombe and Southerham from 9pm to 6am.
- The closure covers the Lewes bypass from the Kingston side to the Southerham/Cuilfail Tunnel junction.
- The A26 South Heighton–South Downs Way section is also closed in both directions from 8pm to 6am.
- National Highways has not published a detailed diversion for the A27 closure; drivers should follow signs on the night.
- Plans can change at short notice, so check the live closure report before setting out.
What is closing near Lewes tonight
National Highways’ current seven-day closure report lists the A27 eastbound carriageway from Ashcombe roundabout to Southerham as closed for survey work. The booked window is nine hours, beginning at 9pm on Monday and ending at 6am on Tuesday.
The closure is a full carriageway shutdown, not a lane restriction. National Highways warns that planned works can be moved or cancelled, particularly because of weather or operational changes.
At the same time, the A26 is scheduled to close in both directions between South Heighton and the South Downs Way from 8pm to 6am. This work is for drainage surveys and vegetation clearance and is part of a weekday programme continuing until 24 October, with no closure booked for 9 October.
For the A26, National Highways says residents and emergency services will be escorted through the traffic-management gates. The signed through-traffic route uses the A27, A2270 and A259. The A27 closure report does not give a separate diversion, so drivers should use the roadside signs rather than relying on a sat-nav route that may lead back towards another closure.
Why the A27 Lewes road closure matters to Brighton drivers
Ashcombe to Southerham is the main eastbound route around Lewes for traffic leaving Brighton towards East Sussex. Closing it on the same night as the A26 restriction removes two familiar options in the Lewes and Newhaven corridor.
The greatest impact is likely to be on late workers, airport and station transfers, freight and anyone travelling between Brighton, Lewes, Newhaven, Seaford or Eastbourne after 8pm. Journeys that normally use the A27 and then turn south on the A26 may require a substantial signed diversion.
This road disruption comes as rail passengers are also dealing with engineering work. Our Brighton rail replacement bus guide covers the affected services and the larger rail closure due on 10 and 11 October.
What drivers should do
- If possible, pass the Lewes section before 8pm or travel after the roads reopen at 6am.
- Check the National Highways live traffic page immediately before leaving.
- Follow the signed diversion. Do not assume the A26 is available as a simple alternative to the closed A27.
- Drivers of large vehicles should verify height and weight restrictions before committing to a diversion.
- Allow extra time for connections at Lewes, Newhaven and Eastbourne.
Brighton Locals’ view
Editorial judgement: each closure is routine planned work, but their overlap creates a more significant travel problem than either notice suggests on its own. The absence of a published A27 diversion in the closure listing makes clear roadside signing especially important. Drivers should treat this as a corridor-wide restriction, not a short local detour.
What to watch next
The immediate test is whether both roads reopen by 6am on Tuesday. National Highways updates the closure report during the working week, and poor weather or incomplete work can change the schedule. The A26 weekday programme continues later in October, while further A23 and A27 work is expected across Sussex.
Featured image: Ashcombe roundabout on the A27, photographed in June 2013 by N Chadwick. Source: Geograph, CC BY-SA 2.0. The archive image predates the 2026 closure.
Bottom line
The A27 eastbound and A26 closures overlap near Lewes tonight. Anyone travelling east from Brighton after 8pm should expect a longer route, check the live position and follow the signed diversion.
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