A public bonfire and fireworks displays may make a comeback in Dundee in the future following the scenes in the city on Halloween.
Many locals are calling for the return of official public displays.
Some people partly blame the lack of them for the horrific scenes in Kirkton when fires were lit, fireworks thrown, windows and cars smashed and damaged and members of the public left terrified.
While Bonfire Night itself in Kirkton and Dundee as a whole was generally pretty quiet, there are still many people concerned about the potential for future incidents like the ones seen last Monday.
Council leader says ‘nothing is off the table’
Now, the leader of Dundee City Council, John Alexander, says “nothing is off the table” when it comes to public displays in future years.
In June this year Dundee city councillors agreed to scrap the two traditional public bonfires – at Baxter and Lochee parks – over safety fears.
Legislation introduced following the Manchester Arena terror attack requires the council to consider how best to keep the public safe at large-scale events.
While an inspection of Lochee Park gave the venue a clean bill of health, significant issues were identified around how easy it would be to get people out if there was an emergency at Baxter Park, according to council documents.
Issues flagged by council officers and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service included concerns about the wall and railings surrounding Baxter Park and the restrictive width of exits.
A reduced capacity at the Stobswell display or a single display at Lochee Park were considered but deemed inappropriate by officials.
There’s now time to look again
However, Mr Alexander says the council now has time to look again at what might take place in the future.
He said: “The reason, which we’ve been very clear about, for this year’s cancellation was due to new national restrictions which stem from the Manchester Arena bombing.
“It was practically impossible for us to deliver the ‘normal’ fireworks displays this year.
“We have reinvested the money in Christmas and didn’t merely take the cancellation as a budget saving.”
Mr Alexander added: “Baxter Park is not a location that we can use without additional entrances/exits being created or the removal of parts of the historic fence.
“We now have the time to consider options and, as always, nothing is off the table.”
Emergency services praised
Meantime, Mr Alexander praised emergency services as well as Dundee City Council staff who he says helped to prevent a repeat of what happened in Kirkton on Halloween.
There was a significant police presence in Kirkton on Saturday night, as promised, with local officers joined by riot police from as far afield as Moray and Deeside in an effort to keep the peace.
Mr Alexander said: “I want to thank Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue and city council staff who have worked hard over the last week to prevent any repeat of Monday.
“It is the busiest night of the year for our fire services and I know that the public appreciate their efforts.
“As investigations continue, it’s important that we all support vital frontline services and their ongoing inquiries.”
Public displays would help
Local residents are adamant that the return of public displays would help.
On social media, Amanda Griffin said: “Maybe if Dundee City Council put on a display and sold tickets and fireworks were banned for individual sale we could save the city a fortune in emergency call outs, not to mention the disgusting behaviour that took place on Monday.”
Stewart Burns said: “Well the council should have a display and everyone could go and enjoy the display rather than create mess.
“By no way am I condoning those actions of fire raising and or things getting out of hand but other cities are at least having a display for the public so why not Dundee”?
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