'Silent' fireworks-only rule voted in for city displays

Only "silent" or low-noise fireworks will be allowed at future displays run by Cardiff council.

The aim is to protect children, animals and neuro-divergent people who are affected by the noise of traditional displays.

The city council also urged both the UK and Welsh governments to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks sold in shops to 90dB from 120dB.

Dilwar Ali, who forwarded the motion, said was a "great misuse" of fireworks in the city. The rule will also apply to displays held on council land.

The Labour councillor for Llandaff North said it was not an "outright ban" but rather "reasonable reform".

The 30dB reduction would reduce the volume by approximately 87.5%.

But the Conservatives and Lib Dems were critical.

Rodney Berman said the noise reduction was "not at all workable" and would "drive displays more into people's back gardens, where they're less regulated".

Joel Williams called it "effectively a ban on private firework sales".

He added: "It's time to go back to the drawing board. Let's get this right."

The motion was passed, without amendments, with 52 councillors voting yes, one voting no, and 18 abstaining.

It also included promoting public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare, vulnerable people and wildlife; encouraging advance advertising of public firework displays; working with local retailers to promote quieter and low-noise fireworks; and supporting enforcement with local police and trading standards to monitor and report illegal or underage sale and use of fireworks.