The Utrecht city council votes in favor of a fireworks ban and against countdown moments with decorative fireworks

A majority of the city council voted in favor of a fireworks ban in Utrecht on Thursday. Also, no countdown moments with decorative fireworks are organized during New Year’s Eve in Utrecht. A majority voted against this proposal from the CDA and Utrecht Solidair factions.

The municipal council therefore takes, as the Municipal Executive proposed, the advices of the citizens’ council on a fireworks ban. Previously, these had already proven to be ‘legally, practically and financially’ feasible and so the council proposed to the municipal council to adopt and implement the advice. That has now happened.

A large majority of the first Utrecht citizens’ council was in favor of a local ban on lighting off fireworks and therefore advised the municipality to ban the lighting of fireworks. to ban. Instead, other accessible events for residents should be organized, such as countdown moments and highlighting buildings.

The CDA and Utrecht Solidair submitted a motion proposing that the city organize countdown moments with decorative fireworks. One of the reasons for this, according to the groups, is that “setting off decorative fireworks at local fireworks shows can be a reason for residents, in combination with the local ban on lighting off, to no longer let off fireworks themselves and can therefore promote safety in the city” . But the motion was not passed.

Unenforceable

It was already clear that there would be no central fireworks show, as is organized every year in Rotterdam at the Erasmus Bridge. That idea did not receive a majority during the meetings, nor did a large music festival on New Year’s Eve and allowing fireworks in certain places in the city.

The council previously pointed out that a fireworks ban is not enforceable due to “the limited capacity of the enforcement officers”. The local ban should be seen as a signal to residents and national politics. “Only when there is a national ban on fireworks can it be properly enforced.”

The citizens’ council also said that a fireworks ban in the city would probably not prevent fireworks from actually being set off, but it would send a ‘strong’ signal.