(Image: T&A)
BRADFORDIANS have been urged to help end the “misery” of firework misuse by having their say on a national survey.
The Government consultation into fireworks and pyrotechnics ends on October 7, and the council has called for residents to make their voices heard on the issue.
And a newly-elected councillor has said “we all need to be willing to challenge this behaviour, including within our own communities.”
Campaigns on firework misuse
The national consultation aims to gauge opinion on restrict the availability of noisier fireworks to the general public, adding more items to the list of banned pyrotechnic products and reviewing regulations for fireworks and pyrotechnic products currently classified as lower risk.
Bradford Council is currently running a ‘Bang Out of Order’ campaign to raise awareness of the distress caused by noisy fireworks throughout the year and late at night.
Over recent weeks, council officers have liaised with local wedding venues to get their support in stopping people using fireworks as part of the celebrations.
Fireworks 'a headache for people living in our district'
Councillor Ian Walker, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, said: “Fireworks have been a headache for people living in our district for many years and we share the frustration felt by many.
“We would encourage people to take part in this consultation and try to get national laws changed which will finally cut the noise and distress experienced by so many.”
The link to the survey is - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk
In 2021, a cross party review of firework misuse by the council concluded that without change in national laws, tackling the issue in Bradford would be an “impossible task.”
Fireworks 'misery'
Councillor Matt Edwards (Green, Holme Wood and Bierley) said: "We know that fireworks are part of celebrations for many families across Bradford, but not every celebration needs them. Quieter alternatives that cause less disruption exist.
"What people describe to me every year is misery.
"Fireworks going off at all hours, day and night, for weeks on end.
"Pets left shaking under the table.
"Children woken up on school nights.
"Veterans and others living with PTSD dreading this time of year because of loud, random bangs with no warning.”
Fireworks 'leaving whole streets shaken'
Councillor Khalid Mahmood (Green, Heaton and Frizinghall) has been using his social media platforms to challenge attitudes towards firework misuse.
He said: "In parts of Bradford, the problem is no longer just the noise of ordinary fireworks.
"Residents are reporting extremely powerful fireworks that sound more like explosions, often late at night, leaving whole streets shaken.
"We are seeing particular problems around private celebrations, especially during the summer, and we all need to be willing to challenge this behaviour, including within our own communities.
“Celebrating should never mean causing fear, distress and sleepless nights for hundreds of neighbours.”