Bid to ban noisy fireworks which 'cause suffering and distress'

Labour’s Coun Jim Hobson is bringing a notice of motion to the next meeting of Blackpool Council asking councillors to support his campaign.

In his submission he says: “Animals affected not only suffer psychological distress but can also cause themselves injuries – sometimes very serious ones

– as they attempt to run away or hide from the noise.”

Coun Hobson adds “it is also likely that fireworks and their debris will cause disturbance to wildlife, and are likely to cause suffering or distress, depending on the distance from the explosive and the noise level.”

He is asking the council to write to the Government urging it to introduce legislation to limit the noise levels of fireworks sold to the public for private displays.

This should be set at 90 decibels, which is about the same level of noise as that produced by a lawnmower.

Pensioner Terry Bennett, who lives on the Grange Park estate in Blackpool, said residents there suffered repeated noise from fireworks from October up until new year.

He said: “There has been a large number of fireworks being set off on Boundary Field. These are going off regularly late at night and sometimes in the early hours of the morning for a number of weeks now.

“This started in October and were being targeted at the elderly and disabled residents in Argosy Court.

“One elderly lady told me of rockets exploding just outside her window and an elderly gent told me he had been woken twice in two weeks at 4.30am and 5am.

“Close to where I live on Dinmore we have had fireworks going off at weekends at 10pm, 11pm and midnight. In the past three to four years this has continued up until the new year.

“I think the time has come to stop sales to the general public.”

The notice of motion is also asking for all public fireworks displays to be advertised in advance “allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people.”

There should also be a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people, as well as a campaign “to encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display”.

Councillors will consider the motion when they meet via Zoom on Wednesday November 25.

It comes as Blackpool South Conservative MP Scott Benton has launched an online survey among his constituents on whether fireworks should be restricted.

He has been prompted to take the action after being contacted by residents “sharing their concerns about the inappropriate use of fireworks this year.”

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