Published: Wednesday, 28th November, 2007 12:30
Give us peace
By David Knox
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INNERLEITHEN could become the first fireworks-free town in Scotland – if next November goes with a bang.
Calls are being made for community leaders to light the fuse on an outright ban on Catherine wheels and rockets.
Several sleepless nights at the start of the month for residents around Victoria Park, St Ronan’s Terrace and Chapel Street sparked the banger backlash.
For four or five days leading up to Bonfire Night fireworks were seen and heard exploding all over the normally peaceful town.
And both the police and fire brigade were called out in the early hours of Saturday, November 3 as rockets and other squibs were let off and a fence post set on fire.
Many of the rudely-awoken neighbours are now asking for local councilors to lead a campaign for a ban.
Bill Herd, councilor for Tweeddale East, is sympathetic to the residents’ anger.
He told the Peeeblesshire News: “It is outrageous that fireworks are being let off in the middle of the night and there should be a zero tolerance approach to this type of offending.
“Stopping retailers selling fireworks would be difficult but I do think we could be much stricter about regulating the sale of them and when they are set off.”
Innerleithen hosts an official bonfire, organized by the Rotary Club of Innerleithen, Walkerburn and Traquair, each year in the field next to the town’s health center, which is followed by a grand firework display.
And several residents also hold their own back-garden displays for friends and neighbours.
Innerleithen Community Council chairman Ross McGinn believes it is too soon for an outright ban.
He told us: “There is definitely an issue with the amount of fireworks that are being let off but I’d be reluctant to say we are at the stage of taking action just yet.
“If we encounter a similar problem next year then we will have to campaign to have the sale and unofficial use of fireworks banned from the town.”
Under the Fireworks Scotland Regulations (2004) it is against the law to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except if permission is given.
A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Police said: “We attended a call out regarding youths setting off fireworks at 5.30am on the Saturday morning at Victoria Park.”
“It is an offence to let off fireworks during the night and we will police this.”
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