West Lothian Council backs calls for fireworks clampdown

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West Lothian Council has backed calls to demand a clampdown on fireworks and tighter controls on their sale.

The council also backed more work with police and fire services to control the abuse of fireworks.

A Conservative motion slated the weakness of new Holyrood legislation in the light of the disruption in West Lothian and beyond earlier this month.

Councillor Alison Adamson referred to the death of two animals in Edinburgh zoo around bonfire night, which were down to the shock from the noise of explosions. She cited them as failures of the new Firework Control Zones.

Councillor Adamson said: "There are people and animals being traumatised by continuous noise and communities are living in fear of the consequences of the actions of an unruly element.

"The over-hyped firework control zones still allow for licensed organised displays but put undue pressure on police. It is apparent we need to take a firm approach to control this escalating public nuisance for the safety and wellbeing of families, animals and emergency workers.

"This is now a matter of priority."

Councillor Adamson said: " Local trading standard officers can inspect local registered retailers to ensure all safety regulations are being met. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for online suppliers using couriers to deliver potentially unregulated imported fireworks and pyrotechnics (flares)."

Her motion concluded by calling for a: "A ban on the sale of noise making fireworks for general sale and only have sales of silent or reduced noise fireworks available to the general public.

"Considerations for submitting a ban on all online sales and deliveries of fireworks and pyrotechnics. New measures need to be considered as a matter of urgency for enforcement in 2025."

Councillors agreed to back the motion without debate.

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