Tougher stance to be taken on on fireworks in Portsmouth

Portsmouth city councillors voted in favour of a series of conditions around firework displays including making sure events are properly advertised, lobbying the government to set a limit on noise levels and encouraging local shops not to stock them.

Speaking at full council this week Councillor Linda Symes said: ‘I agree fireworks are great but the noise is not.

‘Around November 5 most people know there are going to be fireworks but they cause great distress to animals. They say part of the excitement is the noise. In that case how about setting it to music rather than having bangs?’

Cllr Jeanette Smith added: ‘I have two dogs. One used to be OK but this year was a nervous wreck – the other has always been a nervous wreck. That’s because the fireworks started in October and went through until new year.

‘One night there was a loud firework going off at 4am.’

Councillors also agreed to an amendment to the motion that specified the council should only use environmentally friendly fireworks at its own events.

Cllr Will Purvis said: ‘I walked along the beach after November 5 and the amount of small plastics there was awful, there was so much.’

A total of 18 councillors voted in favour of the proposal which was brought forward by Labour Cllr Graham Heaney. Nine voted against and there were seven abstentions.