Iris Grender is not alone in being fed up with the explosion' of noise now caused by fireworks that make suburban nights sound like a war zone (letter 24 January).

We have had numerous complaints about this from New Malden residents indeed on Christmas Day evening our own house literally shook from a loud explosion from fireworks that were set off 500 yards away.

The fear caused to those who are especially vulnerable young children, the elderly and pets is considerable, besides being generally anti-social to everyone else.

The Noise Abatement Society has said that some illegal fireworks have been measured at 185 decibels. This sounds like a mortar attack.

However, help is on the way and hopefully a new law to prevent this noise pollution will be in place by the autumn.

A private members bill, promoted by Bill Tynan, MP for Hamilton South, is likely to get Government support. It will introduce the following requirements:

1. Fireworks will be limited to 113 decibels the equivalent of a shrill whistle or the noise in a loud nightclub. The present limit is 120 decibels - the equivalent of a rock concert.

2. Sales of fireworks will be restricted to 3 weeks before November 5th and a few days after.

3. Fireworks will be sold in selection boxes' costing £20 or more to prevent youngsters buying them.

4. It will be an offence to ignite a firework after 11pm.

The Christian Peoples Alliance is right behind the spirit of these

proposals but would urge Melanie Johnson, Consumer Affairs Minister, to allow the use of fireworks all year round, but to limit the sound to 110 decibels and restrict the use of fireworks up to 12pm.

We urge your readers to write to Melanie Johnson at the House of Commons if you agree with us.

Peter Flower

Christian Peoples Alliance

35a Poplar Grove

New Malden

KT3 3DF

January 31, 2003 17:00