Around the beginning of the month a Plenary Meeting of the Town Council in Motril saw a motion presented by the IU calling for a reduction in noise caused by fireworks.

To this end they called for a reduction in the use of rockets and other fireworks during the fiestas and at other events organised by the Town Hall.

Included in the proposal was the introduction of ‘quiet hours’ during the fiestas when fireworks should not be used, especially where the summer fair is concerned.

Lastly, a gradual introduction of ‘silent fireworks’ should be set into motion.

Yet it is not just about restrictions, but also public information campaigns aimed at children and teenagers to heighten awareness towards how much pets and other animals suffer from the noised produced by fireworks. Humans also suffer, in the case of the elderly, the infirm and babies.

To do all this the Ordenanza Municipal sobre Protección de la Convivencia Ciudadana (Local Bylaws on Citizen Coexistence) would have to be modified in Article 13.4, which deals with the use of fireworks.

The Councillor for Citizen Participation said that part of the IU proposal was already contemplated in the standing bylaws on fiestas and public events but admitted that work was needed to reduce the adverse effects caused by fireworks.

Last Christmas, for example, the Policía Local carried out an online campaign showing how much pets suffered from the noise produced by rockets and bangers.

(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)