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Advertiser closes in on fireworks

Conrad Astley
16/ 1/2003

THE NIGHTMARE caused by anti-social fireworks which have terrorised Salford residents could be coming to an end thanks to proposed new government regulations.

And the campaigning Salford Advertiser aims to make sure the restrictions go ahead by sending ministers copies of our 2,000-strong fireworks petition so they know just what the city's residents think of the exploding nuisances.

The government is considering a huge crackdown on pyrotechnics which may include a ban on their sale bar a month-long period around November 5, new noise restrictions and a ban on setting them off after 11pm.

Politicians want the new laws brought in before Guy Fawkes night this year, but plans are in the early stages and we aim to keep the pressure up. Earlier this month, we reported how more than 1,000 Salfordians put their name to our petition calling for tougher controls on the sale of fireworks.

It was launched after we were inundated with tales of the misery Salfordians had suffered because of fireworks being set off near homes during the autumn and winter months.

Now, copies of the petition printed in the paper have come flooding in containing hundreds of new signatures - nearly doubling our original list of names.

We were even contacted by one woman from Sheffield who was distraught by the year-round gunpowder menace on the other side of the Penines, and was relieved we were doing something to help.

The petition will be sent to consumer affairs minister Melanie Johnson next week, so this is the last call for anyone wanting to add their names to the list.

Salford MP Hazel Blears said: "I congratulate The Advertiser for the success of this ongoing fireworks campaign. With 2,000 signatures on their petition it indicates the strength of feeling in Salford.

"I know from speaking to parliamentary colleagues that there have been campaigns right around the country on the issue of tighter controls over the use of fireworks and I am sure as the department of trade and industry receives the results it will certainly address the concerns raised by those who have indicated their strength of feeling on this matter."