Edinburgh doubles firework ban zones for Bonfire Night.
Councillors in Edinburgh have proposed banning fireworks in nine areas this bonfire season, more than doubling the number from last year.
The Firework Control Zones (FCZ) were agreed upon in response to widespread disorder last year, when they were first implemented.
Temporary restrictions will be reinstated for 10 days around November 5 in Niddrie, Balerno, Seafield, and Calton Hill, while Corstorphine, Longstone, Sighthill/Broomhouse, Gracemount, and Moredun will receive an FCZ for the first time.
A report presented to councillors on the Culture and Communities Committee stated that the zones received “overwhelming support” during a public consultation.
Edinburgh became the first local authority to outlaw fireworks in August 2024, in response to persistent anti-social behaviour. The previous year saw serious disorder in the Niddrie area, prompting community groups and animal welfare charities to support a ban.
Following a major riot in Dundee, the Scottish government granted local authorities new powers to designate FCZs in 2022.
Last year, police reported that Niddrie, Calder Road, Gracemount, and Moredun were the areas of Edinburgh most affected by fireworks-related disorder.
This year, the city council received responses from nearly 1,800 people and organisations to its consultation on local firework bans, with at least 88% supporting control zones in each of the nine designated areas.
According to a report presented to councillors, Police Scotland will most likely reinstate Dispersal Zones in the city, allowing them to direct groups of two or more people to leave.
Setting off fireworks in an FCZ is a criminal offence unless it is part of a properly licensed public display.
Councillor Margaret Graham, the culture and communities convener, stated that the restrictions between October 31 and November 9 were part of efforts to allow people to “enjoy Bonfire Night safely and responsibly”. She clarified:
“The new FCZs being introduced are based on community requests and respond to real concerns around the safety of people and animals in these areas.” In early November, two red pandas died at Edinburgh Zoo due to noise from fireworks, according to veterinary experts.
Roxie, three months old, choked on her own vomit on Bonfire Night, five days after her mother Ginger died unexpectedly – this time during a citywide pyrotechnics display.
The area surrounding the zoo was not included in the four exclusion zones for 2024, but it will be covered by the Corstorphine zone this year.
Ben Supple, deputy chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), said staff were grateful for this year’s exclusion zone around the zoo, which would help protect animals.
He stated: “Loud noises can be extremely frightening. Many pet owners, livestock owners, and horse owners will be familiar with the sheer terror, panic, and stress that fireworks can cause animals.
“The more we can reduce the noise, the better it’s going to be for animal welfare.” Murrayfield Stadium is less than two miles from Edinburgh Zoo, and recent concerts, including the Oasis events, have ended with fireworks displays.
This summer, Edinburgh’s Royal Military Tattoo will feature a drone show and low-noise fireworks instead of its traditional fireworks finale at the castle.
But Mr Supple said this was less of an issue than Bonfire Night, adding: “Our main concern about fireworks in November is the constant barrage of noises, which can cause severe stress to animals – not just once or twice, but over a long period of time.”But Mr Supple said this was less of an issue compared Bonfire Night, adding:
“Our biggest concern around fireworks in the November period is the constant barrage of noises which can cause severe stress to animals – not just once or twice, but over a prolonged period of time.”
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