The annual fireworks show in Swansea has been cancelled due to heavy rain and strong winds which continue to batter parts of Wales.
The hugely popular free display was set to go ahead this Saturday, but with more inclement weather forecast between now and then, and on Saturday evening itself, organiser, Swansea Council, has taken the decision to call off the event. The fireworks were due to be set off from a barge in the bay, and while alternative locations and dates were explored by council bosses, no other options were considered viable.
It’s a decision that is bound to disappoint thousands of Swansea residents, but the council has stressed that safety is its main concern. You can get the latest WalesOnline newsletters e-mailed to you directly for free by signing up here.
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“We’re hugely disappointed to have to cancel the fireworks display due to the forecast of severe weather as, like thousands of residents, we were looking forward to an amazing event,” said the council’s council cabinet member, Robert Francis-Davies.
"However, safety was our main consideration and the weather forecast for the next few days is predicting stormy winds and rain. We waited as long as possible to take this decision in the hope that the forecast would change - but now it’s very likely to be severe weather, we’re now forced to cancel.”
Due to the location of the planned event - with the fireworks set to be launched from a barge in the sea - high winds forecast for Saturday were said to have made it impossible for the show to proceed. Other sites considered included West Pier, Singleton Park and St Helen’s but all were ruled out due to issues with the weather. Alternative dates were also ruled out because they could not be accommodated. Councillor Davies added: “We now turn our focus to delivering an amazing Christmas parade on November 20 and look forward, weather permitting, to holding an annual fireworks display once again next year.”
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