Bradford residents plagued by late-night fireworks and “explosion-like” bangs are being urged to make their voices heard as the Government considers changes to national firework laws.
Residents have until 7 October to respond to a Government consultation examining whether tighter restrictions should be placed on the sale and availability of fireworks and pyrotechnics to the public.
Bradford Council, which has previously warned that tackling firework misuse locally is an “impossible task” without changes to national legislation, is now encouraging people across the district to take part.
The consultation comes amid continuing complaints from Bradford residents about powerful fireworks being set off late at night, sometimes over prolonged periods, causing distress to families, pets and people living with conditions such as PTSD.
Councillor Khalid Mahmood (Green, Heaton and Frizinghall), who has been using social media to challenge attitudes towards firework
misuse, said the problem in some parts of the district had gone beyond conventional celebratory fireworks.
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.”
The Government consultation is seeking views on a range of potential changes, including restricting public access to noisier fireworks, adding more products to the list of banned pyrotechnics and reviewing regulations covering fireworks currently classified as lower risk.
Bradford Council is already running its ‘Bang Out of Order’ campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the distress caused when noisy fireworks are used throughout the year and late into the night.
In recent weeks, council officers have also been working with wedding venues to seek their support in discouraging the use of fireworks during celebrations, as well as liaising with local campaign groups.
Councillor Matt Edwards (Green, Holme Wood and Bierley) said fireworks could be an important part of celebrations for some families, but argued that quieter alternatives should be considered.
He 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.”
The issue has been a long-running concern in Bradford.
In 2021, a cross-party review into firework misuse by Bradford Council concluded that without changes to national legislation, tackling the problem in the district would be an “impossible task”.
Councillor Ian Walker, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, said the authority shared residents’ frustration.
He 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.”
Residents can respond to the Government consultation online through GOV.UK.
Those unable to respond online can email fireworksconsultation@businessandtrade.gov.uk or send a written response to: Fireworks – Sectors Policy Team, Office for Product Safety and Standards, Department for Business and Trade, Old Admiralty Building, Admiralty Place, London SW1A 2DY.
The consultation closes on 7 October.
