A Nottinghamshire Council wants to ban the public sale of fireworks that are louder than a lawnmower.
Gedling Council will urge the government and the borough’s two MPs to restrict public access to noisy fireworks.
This is as part of new measures decided on last Wednesday at a Gedling Council meeting.
They have been put in place to protect animals and vulnerable people in Gedling.
The council will ask for the current maximum of 120 decibels to be reduced to 90 decibels.
This is similar to the noise from a garden mower or a car door slamming.
Also, private displays will now need to be advertised in advance so that precautions can be taken.
A public awareness campaign will take place and suppliers will be encouraged to stock quieter fireworks.
And councils will work to enforce existing firework legislation.
Labour Councillor Rachael Ellis said during the meeting:
“The current allowed level of 120 decibels is equivalent to a jet aircraft taking off, such a noise level for a firework is unnecessary and unreasonable.”
Several councillors had been contacted by distressed pet owners and the carers of vulnerable people.
Val Green, founder of charity One Voice for Animals, has welcomed the motion as a step forward.
“It is definitely a big step in the right direction, I particularly welcome the attempt to try and lower the decibels.”
But the advocate made it clear that there was still more that could be done.
“In a survey of my group, there were 116 votes for banning sales to the public, with 32 being animal rescue centres who on average care for 70 to 80 animals each.”
The Carlton Hill resident, who served nine years in the Army, also has worries about veterans’ reactions to fireworks.
“I don’t have PTSD, but a lot of people do and if you are ever around them you will see them flinch when there is a loud noise.”
The start of this year has seen more parts of Nottinghamshire adopt RSPCA guidelines on fireworks, such as the city centre and Broxtowe.
By Joshua Hartley
