After a long campaign, the Fireworks Bill, introduced by Labour MP Bill Tynan, has now become law.

I have been campaigning since March 2002 to halt the growing nuisance caused by fireworks.

The number of firework related injuries rose by 50% in 2002, causing enormous distress to many people. I have been contacted by hundreds of people from Walthamstow and surrounding areas who are as desperate as I am for legislation to tackle this problem.

Occasions such as Bonfire Night should be a time people can enjoy, but at the same time we should all be responsible about where and how fireworks are used. Fireworks being set off over weeks and late at night are causing distress and disturbance and need to be kept under much tighter control.

I launched a petition in and around Walthamstow as part of this lengthy campaign, and presented it to the Prime Minister at Downing Street with more than 40 Labour MPs who were supporting the campaign.

As a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fireworks, I was present at the debates on the Fireworks Bill and helped to ensure that it was approved.

The Bill introduced significant measures to cut down on the excessive noise produced by some explosives. It introduces a tougher licensing regime which should help to combat anti-social use of fireworks, and make it much harder for children and young teenagers to buy them.

The detailed regulations required by the Bill have now come into force. This will mean:

1. A ban on the use of fireworks after 11pm except for one or two special occasions such as November 5th

2. A limit on the noise which fireworks can make;

3. Restrictions on the year-round sale of fireworks;

4. A requirement for public firework display operators to be fully trained and licensed.

The licence fee for permission to sell fireworks will be used to help police the new regime.

As the legislation comes fully into force I hope it will provide relief for those people who have been disturbed by fireworks.

July 2004

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