MPs debated whether or not the sale of fireworks should be drastically limited in Parliament yesterday.
The debate took place after a petition calling for a clampdown on firework sales and displays to be limited to those licensed by local councils was signed by more than 300,000 people, and backed by a number of human and animal welfare charities.
The petition – which was live last year, and amassed hundreds of thousands of signatures – says the current law “allows for public use of fireworks 16 hours a day, every day, making it impossible for vulnerable groups to take precautions against the distress they can cause.”
But campaigners who backed the petition said noisy fireworks cause “distress” to vulnerable people and animals.
The proposed sales clampdown would spell the end of many annual domestic firework displays.
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During the debate, concerns were raised over a number of issues relating to firework sales and displays, including about the impact of fireworks on newborn children, with Alex Davies-Jones – MP for Pontypridd – saying: “There has been little terms of progress for practical change [and although] a well-organised fireworks display is something people look forward to, we must consider the impacts it has on some.”
MPs debated whether or not the sale of fireworks should be drastically limited in Parliament yesterday / Credit: Pixnio
MP Justin Madders switched the debate over to animal welfare, by referencing an incident where a dog in his constituency of Ellesmere Port jumped from a first-floor window and ran onto a motorway, adding: “The fact she reacted how she did shows how she must have been feeling.”
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MPs also heard claims that over 100 people a year end up in hospital after firework-related incidents.
Over 4,000 animals require support due to fireworks too.
Darlington MP Peter Gibson then acknowledged the claims and said he “understands” the concerns of pet owners, but said a ban would be “counter-productive”, and added that: “We all know how special November 5 can be and many look forward to dazzling fireworks and bonfire shows, however many are afraid and we know fireworks can be used as weapons.
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“As a dog owner myself, I well understand the concerns of Darlington pet owners.”
He also referenced that anti-social abuse of fireworks continues around the country, and particularly highlighted fireworks bought online, rather than in supermarkets and dedicated firework shops.
Debates come after more than 300,000 people signed a petition that was backed by a number of human and animal welfare charities / Credit: Unsplash
Summarising the points heard in the debate and addressing the issue, Small Business Minister Paul Scully said: “I am grateful to members of the public who signed this e-petition. An outright ban on fireworks and an outright ban to the sale to the public is not appropriate.
“We have concerns banning fireworks in this way could have significantly adverse and unintended consequences on public safety perpetuating the emergence of a black market of illicit fireworks.
“There was a reason in the 2019 debate, yes it was an election, and there was an enquiry and the evidence given did align with the current view, that included the police chiefs council and fire chiefs council.
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“This debate looks at the impact on vulnerable people and animals.”
Mr Scully says he “sympathised” with animals, and said the government carried out a programme on firework safety.
Following yesterday’s debate, it was heard that further debates would be required in the House of Commons should anything be amended legislatively in the future.
Featured Image – Hippopx
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Greater Manchester town named as one of country’s worst at fixing potholes
Emily Sergeant
A town in Greater Manchester has been named one of the worst in the country at managing roads and fixing potholes.
For the first time ever, drivers across England can now see how well their local highway authority is tackling potholes on their roads thanks to a new traffic light rating system published by the Government this weekend.
The new ratings grade local highway authorities as red, amber, or green.
The ratings – which have presented on a new interactive map – are based on current road condition and how effectively local authorities are spending the Government’s record £7.3 billion funding to fix potholes and investing in long-term measures to maintain roads.
The Government funding is meant to allow local authorities to repair potholes ‘effectively’ and move away from short-term repairs that work out to be more expensive – with these fixes meaning more money in drivers’ pockets, as the average repair bill from hitting potholes is said to be around £320.
We’ve launched a Red, Amber, Green rating system, so you can see how well your local highway authority (LHA) is fixing your local roads.
🟢 Green = best practice, long-term preventative plans 🟠 Amber = on the way, but room to improve 🔴 Red = support in place to raise… pic.twitter.com/gRwkEx5kdm
The condition of local roads, how much local authorities are spending on road repairs, and whether they are following best practice in maintaining highways are all key areas taken into account when deciding on an area’s rating.
Those that scored ‘green’, like Manchester, were able to demonstrate they are following best practice, while also maintaining good road conditions and investing significantly into improving local roads, and those that scored ‘amber’ – which the majority of Greater Manchester came under showed that there was room for improvement in individual areas.
However, one Greater Manchester town did not fare well at all, and ended up with an ‘red’ rating… and that town was Bolton.
The colour-coded map showing each local authority’s pothole rating / Credit: OS / Crown Copyright (via gov.uk)
Those local authorities that are rated ‘red’, like Bolton, are not yet meeting the expected standards in one or several areas measured, according to the Government, such as the current state of the roads, their plans for preventing potholes, or investment into maintaining their local roads more widely.
“For too long, drivers have paid the price because our roads were left to deteriorate,” commented Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.
“We’ve put our money where our mouth is, increasing the funding for local highway authorities with £7.3 billion to fix roads and given them the long-term certainty they have been asking for.
“Now it’s over to them to spend the money wisely, and for the first time, we are making sure the public can see how well councils are doing in delivering the improvements they want to see in their local area.”
Featured Image – Picasa (via Unsplash)
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Plans to build ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly officially proposed
Emily Sergeant
Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly.
The Government has announced a ‘major growth plan’ for the north, and as part of that, has firmed up its commitment to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
NPR is said to be ‘at the heart’ of plans to deliver faster commutes, better jobs, more homes, increased investment, and ultimately, stronger connections between Manchester and several other major northern cities, even as far as North Wales.
£1.1 billion has been committed over this Spending Review period to support delivery of NPR, the Treasury has confirmed.
One of the most crucial proposals from the commitment to the NPR is an entirely new line between Liverpool and Manchester – via Warrington and Manchester Airport – will be delivered as part of the second phase in the 2030s, and work is set to begin ‘immediately’ to develop the project plans and business case in more detail.
Plans have officially been proposed to build a ‘modern’ underground train station at Manchester Piccadilly / Credit: TfGM
As part of this, Greater Manchester and the Government will be working together to explore an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly.
It’s hoped that a new underground station at Manchester’s main train train travel hub would be a ‘catalyst’ and ‘enabler’ for major regeneration and economic growth in the region and across the North as a whole.
The underground option is said to be ‘preferred’ by local leaders.
This option would see trains run through the station, providing more reliable and quicker connections to and from West Yorkshire and beyond.
It’s also hoped that it would ‘future-proof’ the station to accommodate growing passenger numbers for decades to come, as well as ensure that the region remains the ‘growth capital’ of the UK.
Big news for the North.
Work is set to begin immediately on detailed plans for the new Liverpool–Manchester Northern Powerhouse Rail line.
A major catalyst for growth and jobs across the North. 🚆
“Finally, we have a Government with an ambitious vision for the North, firm commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail, and an openness to an underground station in Manchester city centre,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham as the proposals were announced this week.
“A modernised Manchester Piccadilly could become the Kings Cross of the North, acting as a catalyst for major growth in our city region and beyond.
“Over the past decade, we’ve become the UK’s fastest growing city region, but underinvestment in rail infrastructure has long acted as a brake on further growth.
“Today marks a significant step forward for Greater Manchester. We’ll now work at pace to prove the case for an underground station and work up detailed designs for the route between Liverpool and Manchester.”
The Manc -
9th November 2021 
