‘Sleep deprived’ Nelson residents demand action on fireworks

Maria Williamson, 58, who works as a hospice midwife and has lived in Brierfield all her life, said there had recently been three days with “absolutely no let-up” from the noise.

Williamson said hearing the first firework or revving engine created “such a tension” and left her feeling sick because she expected the noise to continue.

“There’s just no peace,” she said.

“We’ve got an almost hatred for fireworks now because they are just so destructive of people’s lives, for animals, for wildlife,” she added.

Williamson said she also feared a stray spark could start a fire while the ground was so dry.

She said residents regularly organised litter picks, sometimes working with the mosque, and described her street as a good community where neighbours supported one another.

“It’s horrible to think that this beautiful area is being dragged to a point where people don’t want to come,” she said.