Five more areas in Edinburgh confirmed as firework control zones

Five new fireworks control zones have been announced for Edinburgh, intended to cover more of the city ahead of Bonfire Night.

Along with five, which have been renewed, and four, which were approved for two years in 2025, they will run between October 30 and November 8.

The new fireworks control zones will cover parts of Wester Hailes, West Pilton, Lochend, the Stenhouse/Gaskell Street area and Liberton Grange.

The five renewed ones are at Corstorphine, Longstone, Moredun, Sighthill/Broomhouse and The Murrays.

The last was renamed from ‘Gracemount’ since it was first implemented last year.

All five of the renewed zones will last for two years, while the new zones will last one year.

The four control zones in Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield were granted two-year approvals by councillors in 2025.

Councillors approved the new and renewed zones at Monday’s Culture and Communities Committee meeting, where they voted to back officer recommendations.

Labour councillor and Culture and Communities spokesperson Margaret Graham said: “We know that fireworks can have a significant impact on vulnerable people and pets, which is why it’s important that we use every tool available to support safer celebrations.

“Firework control zones are an important part of our wider approach to keeping communities safe during Bonfire Night and reduce the disruption that fireworks can cause.”

The concept of firework control zones were introduced by the Scottish Government to give local authorities the power to regulate the use of fireworks.

One of the main aims was to reduce the misuse of fireworks during Bonfire Night, which has historically occurred often in Edinburgh.

Along with the fireworks control zones, efforts have been put towards providing funding to divert young people from misusing fireworks on Bonfire Night.

According to a report for councillors at Monday’s meeting, the council’s trading standards service noted a ‘significant reduction’ in the number of traders selling fireworks.

Officers stated that in 2024, 33 traders were selling fireworks in the city, while in 2025 only two were selling them.

In addition, the report stated that local partners in areas covered by the firework control zones in 2025 had reported efforts to mitigate firework use had been successful.

It stated that in Niddrie,despite ‘some disorder’, a local community centre which ran an alternative Bonfire Night event had drawn 950 participants, and led to a ‘noticeable reduction’ in disorder.

Edinburgh Zoo, meanwhile, said the 2025 firework control zones had worked well, coming after it said a baby red panda had died from stress associated with Bonfire Night fireworks in 2024.

The Calton Hill Conservation Trust said the fireworks control zone in 2025 was ‘successful’ and in line with successes seen in 2024, with minimal evidence of fireworks being discharged and minimal debris.

Council officers stated that Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service had said the control zones had ‘no bearing’ on their ability to carry out their roles.

However, both services provided positive feedback about the partnership working involving the council and other bodies related to reducing fireworks misuse in the city.

Green councillor Dan Heap asked council officers what was meant when the report said the control zones had ‘no bearing’ on the emergency services.

A council officer replied that, from discussions with the services, the zones being at their current sizes are small enough to be effective without the commitment of significant resources.

He added that the services said they were a good tool along with a wider range of measures.

Cllr Heap also asked if there were any thoughts from officers on the idea of introducing a city-wide zone.

The same officer replied: “When control zones are done proportionally and evidence-based, it is more understandable, given the geographic size of them is manageable.

“When they are too large they get unmanageable beyond a certain point. It’s about getting that balance right.”

Cllr Graham also expressed curiosity at the idea of introducing a citywide zone, which is supported by the legislation introducing firework control zones.

A sixth new firework control zone could come to cover Gilmerton, with the Gilmerton and District community council failing at their first bid to get a zone introduced.

Councillors voted on Monday to allow council officers to review and potentially approve a revised application published by the community council.

It was not included in the report before councillors on Monday for immediate approval due to the coverage area of the control zone being so broad.