Road closed after flint falls from Lewes Castle arch

Fire crews have closed Castle Gate Road after the shards of rock plummeted from the archway leading to Lewes Castle.

The structure is believed to be more than 800 years old.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "Due to the recent extreme weather, small pieces of flint have fallen from the 12th Century Norman Arch at Lewes Castle.

"Castle Gate Road has been closed. We are working with the Sussex Archaeological Society, East Sussex Highways, Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council to ensure public safety."

The road is set to remain closed "until further notice".

Pieces of flint have fallen from the arch at Lewes Castle, leading fire crews to shut Castle Gate Road Credit: East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

Debbie Matthews, communications officer for the Sussex Archaeological Society, said: "The parts of the castle owned and cared for by the Sussex Archaeological Society are annually inspected by a third party expert and regularly by the society’s professional staff team to ensure the safety of our visitors, staff and members of the public."

On November 2019, a stretch of Lewes Castle's wall weighing hundreds of tonnes collapsed.

• READ MORE: Fire crews end search of rubble after Lewes Castle wall collapses

The rock collapsed on to a garden and part of a house below.

Sniffer dogs were brought in to search for any possible casualties, but no one was hurt in the incident.

Lewes Green Councillor Johnny Denis said one man had a lucky escape, as his office was hit by the falling rubble.

Lewes Castle

Mr Denis said: “He’s a film maker and went to Brighton for the day. But when he came back the wall had fallen on the Old Coach House where he works.”

The collapse happened in Castle Ditch Lane, behind Lewes Crown Court.

In the following weeks, workmen moved in to tear down the remaining parts of the colapsed wall.