Cardiff bans noisy fireworks at council displays

Cardiff council has voted to allow only silent or low-noise fireworks at future displays it organises, in a move aimed at protecting children, animals and neuro-divergent people affected by traditional pyrotechnics.

The council has also called on UK and Welsh governments to slash the maximum noise level of shop-sold fireworks from 120dB to 90dB – a reduction that would cut volume by roughly 87.5%.

Labour councillor Dilwar Ali, who brought forward the motion, described it as “reasonable reform” rather than an “outright ban”, whilst acknowledging there had been a “great misuse” of fireworks across the city. The new rule will apply to all displays held on council-run land.

However, opposition parties raised concerns about the practical implications. Conservative councillor Rodney Berman warned the noise reduction was “not at all workable” and would “drive displays more into people’s back gardens, where they’re less regulated”.

Liberal Democrat Joel Williams went further, calling the measure “effectively a ban on private firework sales” and urging colleagues: “It’s time to go back to the drawing board. Let’s get this right.”

Despite the criticism, the motion passed with 52 councillors voting in favour, just one against, and 18 abstaining.

The policy also includes promoting public awareness campaigns about fireworks’ impact on animal welfare, vulnerable people and wildlife, encouraging advance advertising of displays, working with retailers to stock quieter alternatives, and supporting enforcement alongside police and trading standards.