A COUNCILLOR has hit out after one part of Ashton-under-Lyne was left more like a ‘war zone’ on Bonfire Night.
And Kaleel Khan has criticised the lack of action from his ward colleagues, Joyce Bowerman and Warren Bray.
The Holy Trinity and Millennium Green areas saw terrifying scenes as fireworks were let off in the streets, exploding close to cars and properties.
On the morning of Wednesday, November 6, the independent and volunteers picked up more than 200 spent devices, including many which were tied together to, ‘create a dangerously powerful display. ‘
And Cllr Khan rammed home the effect it had on people living in the area.
He said at the time: “Are we living in a war zone?
“My constituents are terrified. What are authorities going to be doing about this after weeks of reporting my concerns with little action?”
After the event, he continued: “Families are living in fear, children remain frightened, pets are nowhere to be seen, birds have fled the area, and our elderly residents are visibly distressed.
“For many, this experience has heightened anxiety, worsened mental health, and left them with lingering trauma.
“We deserve better than this. Our community’s wellbeing should not be an afterthought.
“The fireworks began as early as 6pm and continued relentlessly until just after midnight, leaving my constituents feeling deeply let down by the authorities who were supposed to keep our community safe.”
Cllr Khan also took aim at the authorities plus Cllrs Bowerman and Bray after he said he had raised the issue.
He added: “I have been raising these concerns with authorities since September, warning them that this situation was a ticking time bomb and that real, preventative action was urgently needed.
“Despite my efforts to engage the relevant parties, the response has been frustratingly inadequate.
“I’ve also been reaching out to my fellow ward councillors, particularly the two Labour councillors in St Peter’s ward, to appeal for a united approach to tackle this issue.
“Yet time and again, my calls for collaboration have been ignored. They’ve proven they don’t care about us, failing to prioritise our community’s wellbeing.
“My priority is, and always has been, putting the community above party politics, but sadly, it seems that others don’t share this commitment.”
Cllr Khan intends to speak at a Greater Manchester Police community engagement event at Dukinfield Town Hall on Wednesday, November 13.
Cllr Bray responded: “The remarks are typical and are not unlike those that have been made before.
“The path he has chosen is that of an opposition Councillor and he must do his best to represent the whole community of St Peter’s ward from that position.
“Joyce and myself are both working on residents’ problems as we have done for years with care and concern.”