Petition launched for ‘quiet’ fireworks

CAMPAIGNERS are renewing their call for a rethink about how best to enjoy fireworks.

Jane Foddy, of Loddon Drive, Wargrave, spearheaded a campaign to use “quiet” fireworks in 2018 due to the effect traditional ones have on pets and wildlife.

It is legal to use fireworks all-year round but they must be set off prior to 11pm — except on Bonfire Night (midnight), or New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year (1am).

Fireworks can only be sold to people aged 18 or over and there is a noise limit of 120 decibels on all consumer fireworks.

In 2018, nearly 300,000 people signed a petition calling for the sale and use of fireworks by the public to be banned.

This triggered a debate in Parliament but MPs ultimately rejected a full ban. Former Henley MP John Howell said he could not back an outright ban but quiet fireworks would be an improvement.

There is now another petition in motion, with a different request — this time to reduce the maximum noise level for consumer fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels.

It has 38,300 signatures at the moment and will be considered for a debate in Parliament if it reaches 100,000.

Mrs Foddy said: “When we launched the Ban the Bangs campaign there was a lot of feedback and some was coming from people talking about friends and family that were impacted by fireworks.

“Quiet fireworks are readily available in shops. They’re no less spectacular and no more expensive than the very noisy ones. Just do the right thing for the sake of everybody.”