Council to target wedding venues over firework use

Wedding venues in Bradford will be targeted as part of a campaign to crack down on anti-social and excessive firework use in the city.

Bradford Council said its new campaign, which involves Trading Standards and lobbying the government for more legal powers, would focus on businesses that allow fireworks to be let off as part of celebrations.

The authority said residents have long complained about the issue, which leads to disturbed sleep, upset pets and distress to people with noise sensitivity.

The campaign has been named Bang Out of Order, and will also call for tougher laws and lower noise limits.

Councillor Ian Walker, Bradford Council's executive member for neighbourhoods and communities, said fireworks "have been a headache" in the district for many years.

He announced that officials intend to push for changes in legislation around the noise level and illegal sale of fireworks and will support government plans to launch a national consultation on new laws around their use.

Existing UK legislation prohibits firework use between 11pm and 7am, except for Bonfire Night, when the cut-off is midnight, and on New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am.

Fireworks can only be bought from licensed shops - or at certain times of year, around Bonfire Night, New Year, Diwali and Chinese New Year, from registered sellers.

Using or selling fireworks illegally is punishable by unlimited fines or up to six months' imprisonment. On-the-spot fines of £90 can also be imposed.

People living in the city have previously asked for more action to be taken to deal with nuisance fireworks. Members of the "Ban The Menace Fireworks" campaign group complained that it was a daily problem and they were often unable to sleep at night because of noise disturbance.

Last year Shipley MP Anna Dixon started a petition calling for the permitted noise levels on fireworks to be lowered to 90 decibels, and a ban on those of 120 decibels. She said it was difficult to enforce existing laws around use, despite police involvement.

Some wedding venues in the city have welcomed the new initiative.

Nadeem Ali of Mashriq, a dedicated Asian wedding venue on New Otley Road, said: "We are committed to eradicating the disruption caused by the anti-social use of fireworks and have strict no-fireworks policies already."

David Strover, head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said people should only buy fireworks from reputable outlets and ensure safety instructions and labels were written in English.

He added that Trading Standards would work with the council, police and fire service to monitor illegal sales.

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