Firework ban on Bideford Bridge

Campaigners say it affects starlings.

Bideford town council have previously voted in favour of replacing the traditional fireworks at the event with a silent laser show after reports came in of startled starlings being trampled on at last year’s event.

The ban has the support of TV wildlife experts Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan who have both shared links to a petition  online calling for the fireworks to be ditched.

Councillors on Monday night voted, with the exception of three abstentions, to take the petition to its Community and Resources committee to pursue it further.

The petition requested that:

• the council put policies in place to prohibit any further fireworks displays at all close to Bideford Long Bridge
• policies should include refusal to license any inappropriate displays for which licensing is required, by any person for any reason at any tim
• to ensure that permission is never given for such displays to take place on council-owned land
• to ensure that all public and licensed fireworks displays within the vicinity of Bideford are of such a reduced noise level as to cause minimum possible distress to wildlife, pets, pet owners  and vulnerable people
• ensure that no funding of any kind is given by Torridge District Council or individual councillors from public funds allocated to their discretionary use towards any events which include the use of fireworks which are not of a low noise level
• ensure that monitoring of the effect of any future firework displays on the starlings, other wildlife including estuary birds and also bats, is undertaken during firework displays with a view to eliminating adverse effects if any are observed
• That if Torridge District Council finds its existing powers (once they have been fully explored) inadequate to take the requested actions, they seek to create a by-law such as would give them the required powers

Environmentalists had previously claimed the noise of the fireworks causes the starlings to fly into the River Torridge, which the bridge spans, where they drown, or smash into buildings – resulting in them being killed or injured.

They are also said to fly into the feet of revellers, being either trampled or kicked to death.

At a meeting on Thursday, March 7, Bideford Town Council voted in favour of ditching fireworks and said that a laser show would be a preferred replacement.

The petition had previously been backed by Springwatch presenter Mr Packham, who had said: “In most places the remarkable winter murmerations of starlings have become a great eco tourist attraction – mesmerising visitors with their beautiful displays.

“How can it be that in Bideford this declining species and the spectacle it performs are so wilfully and cruelly abused and ignored.

“This wanton horror show must end. Torridge District Council and Bideford Town Council needs to get a grip on their environmental and moral responsibilities and shape up to a world which must cherish its dwindling wildlife.”

A letter from Harry Barton, chief executive of the Devon Wildlife Trust, had added the organisation’s support to the petition to stop fireworks on the bridge.

Mr Barton said: “Bideford Bridge is not only a very important site for the significant number of starlings that roost there, but also for other birds, bats and other wildlife. The fireworks have a number of damaging impacts.

“The noise scares the birds and can deter them from using the site as a roost. The light can be distressing for bats in particular and deter them from using the area, and it should be noted that the bridge is close to one of the few remaining roosts for Greater Horseshoe Bats, one of the most threatened bat species in Europe.

“The pollution from the combustion of the fireworks is problematic for wildlife generally and can find its way into the river, causing problems in the water environment.

“It would be great to see Bideford taking a lead on this and setting an example for others to follow.”

The Community and Resources committee will discuss the petition at a later date, but will be after the May elections have been held.