The New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Newcastle has been cancelled due to a wind weather warning, and the decision has now been explained by the company providing the entertainment, Reaction Fireworks.
The Met Office has warned of winds potentially reaching 70mph in the North East, with a yellow warning in place. Newcastle City Council announced on Tuesday morning that the spectacular fireworks displays planned on the Quayside would not be going ahead.
Scott Hilary, Display Manager for Reaction Fireworks, said: “Despite following the weather forecast for the last ten days, and knowing that there was going to be some wind, unfortunately this morning we woke up to a change in the forecast.
“This changed the wind direction from what we’d planned, so despite trying to mitigate the risk of fallout landing in public areas, we have had to cancel the display tonight, as this can’t be avoided, and it is not safe to go ahead.
“It’s deeply disappointing for us as a firework company, as there’s nothing more that we enjoy than putting fireworks in the sky, but it’s obviously going to be very disappointing for the thousands of members of the public that we were expecting to come tonight on the Quayside.
“We are very sorry, but safety comes first. Newcastle is open as normal, and I’m sure there are still going to be thousands of revellers in the city enjoying themselves as there is every New Year’s Eve, so despite there being no fireworks, enjoy tonight and have a fantastic New Year.”
Announcing the news, a Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: “We know many were looking forward to celebrating New Year’s Eve on the Quayside with our spectacular fireworks displays, but due to strong gusty winds and a yellow weather warning issued by the Met Office, we’ve had to take the tough decision to cancel the planned events at 6pm and midnight.”
The Met Office has warned gusts of 50 to 60mph are expected, perhaps reaching 70mph in a few exposed areas that could lead to some travel disruption.
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