Locals have reacted with dismay to the news that Dundee has scrapped its public firework displays.
Councillors agreed to scrap the displays at Baxter Park and Lochee Park after safety experts warned that they wouldn't comply with new rules on dealing with emergencies in public spaces. The £50,000 that would normally be spent on the displays each year will be diverted to the council's annual winter events programme.
Dundee City Council says Baxter Park's narrow entrances and high fences mean it is unlikely to comply with the Protect Duty brought into law after the Manchester Arena bombings. Officers reckon that doubling the crowd capacity at Lochee Park, meanwhile, would also put people at increased risk of injury - meaning displays at both parks are off.
We asked Dundee Live readers on Facebook for their thoughts on the move - and almost everyone voiced their opposition to the decision, which was agreed on Monday night.
Some of you thought the winter events receiving the Bonfire Night cash would not be as popular as the free firework displays.
Eddie Baines wrote: "Winter events that most folk can’t afford but gets a tidy income for council - such a shame they can’t see the widening of the gap of engagement when they refuse to listen to communities who value these events."
Paul Henderson added: "Nobody will ever see the 50k when its cancelled so I'd like to see it go up in smoke on 5th Nov."
And Kathleen Ferguson chipped in: "Lots of folk look forward to this, young and old, it's typical of Dundee city council, don't care about people's feelings and enjoyments."
Others were concerned that the end of the public displays will lead to more people having displays of their own in their back gardens - putting themselves and others at risk. MSPs have just passed legislation that will tightly control firework sales in future.
Terri-Louise Jennings said: "Then everyone has their own displays which is far more dangerous, disruptive and over a longer period than one night."
Frances Anne Smith said: "Public displays must be safer than people buying their own fireworks. Maybe there is another location to replace the Baxter Park display? And still keep the Lochee Park display."
Ally Reid added: "Public displays have got to be safer. Organised & controlled. Better than fireworks going off at all hours in back gardens & waste ground."
Do you agree with the end of Dundee's firework displays? Share your views in the comments.
Some Dundonians tried to make the case for hosting the fireworks elsewhere, at a venue that would comply with the new Protect Duty laws.
Karen Duncan: "Why not have it at Riverside or the Slessor Gardens? Baxter Park exits are too small to accommodate the numbers that go to the display. Although can’t see how it’s taken DDC so long to realise this. Maybe it’s because they’ve cottoned on to how much money they save."
Steven Spittlehouse said: "A well organised public display at riverside or maybe in the ferry and a small charge for entrance, would benefit Dundee."
And Geo Kemp added: "My view is that public organized ones that are run by organizations could be the way forward. Ones I’ve experienced while living in New Zealand are well run, and they incorporate other events such as orchestra or musicians before fireworks displays.
"If I use the experience of when I lived in West Yorkshire and the carnage sometimes unleashed in certain areas with Joe Public having their own events, it’s made me come around to public organized fireworks displays. It feel more community orientated."
There were some locals, however, who believe the displays are outdated.
Arnott Nicoll wrote: "I think the displays are great for the kids but it is a lot of money at a time when everyone is struggling. I'm also really concerned about the effect on animals, both domestic and wild. Having seen how badly it affects them, I would have to say it's just not worth it."
Maria Patullo added: "All fireworks should be banned except the silent ones as stress caused to the elderly and animals is horrendous. Use the money for public displays by investing it in assisting those trying to get rid of Dundee’s drug problem."
And Andrew Lyall concluded: "Never mind the crowds. Fireworks distress and terrify domestic animals and wildlife. Time for a ban."
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