Story Highlight
– Local council requests removal of Halloween decorations.
– Complaints cite “risk to public safety” from decorations.
– Family’s decorations included spooky tunnel and donation buckets.
– Council emphasizes safety concerns over public path usage.
– Future collaboration proposed for safer displays next year.
Full Story
**Halloween Decorations in Cumbernauld Spark Council Concern Over Public Safety**
In a lively northern suburb, Halloween festivities have been abruptly overshadowed by a health and safety complaint regarding elaborate decorations. In Cumbernauld, residents have enjoyed the spirited efforts of Paula Dewar and her family, who have transformed their home into a haunted spectacle over the years. However, just a day before Halloween, the local council intervened, raising concerns about the safety of the family’s festive setup.
For many years, the Dewar household has been a beacon of Halloween fun, featuring an array of decorations that spill out from the house and onto the street. This year, the family expanded their traditional display to include a spooky tunnel adorned with carved pumpkins, skeletal figures, and artistic renditions of popular horror themes, creating an inviting attraction for both families and thrill-seekers alike.
The spirit of community has been central to their decorations, as the family encourages visitors to contribute to charitable causes through donation buckets set up around their display. The festive tradition has not only enhanced the neighbourhood’s seasonal spirit but also provided a platform for charitable giving, with last year’s efforts raising almost £500 for local charities.
Yet the enthusiastic celebration faced a setback following a letter from North Lanarkshire Council, which outlined concerns regarding the decorated tunnel and deemed it a potential hazard. The council cited risks associated with the use of plastic pipes and wooden structures as justifications for their concerns. According to the letter, it was advised that Ms Dewar should have sought permission from the road authority before setting up the decorations, a request that would likely have been denied due to safety considerations.
“The structure is very secure and I’m disappointed someone would report it to the council, as it’s only up for three or four weeks at most,” Ms Dewar remarked, expressing her surprise and frustration over the decision. She detailed how the display, which has been well received in past years, had garnered attention from visitors beyond the immediate locality, including groups specifically seeking a Halloween experience. “We’ve had people come from out of the area to look at it, we’ve had groups of disabled people come in a minibus to see it,” she said.
In notifying the family of their concerns, the council emphasized their commitment to public safety, stating that any claims stemming from injuries related to the tunnel would be redirected to Ms Dewar. This aspect of the communication raised further alarms for the family, who had not anticipated such scrutiny over their seasonal displays.
Despite the council’s ruling, Ms Dewar remains hopeful that her plans for Halloween will not be completely dashed. She indicated that the decorations have remained stable since their installation, with the anticipation of a stronger effort shaping up for the celebration. “The structure hasn’t budged in the weeks it has been up and I don’t have the manpower until Saturday to start removing it all,” she stated, reflecting on her commitment to the display.
The council’s position follows the legal stipulations outlined in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, which prohibits any structure being erected across public pathways without prior consent. A spokesperson reiterated the council’s stance, remarking, “The last thing we want to do is spoil anyone’s Halloween fun but safety is paramount. We want to make sure children are trick or treating in public areas without risk to their safety.”
In a gesture of goodwill, the authorities indicated their willingness to work with Ms Dewar in future years to find appropriate solutions that would allow festive decorations while adhering to safety regulations. The prospect of collaboration highlights a potential path forward to preserve community festivities while prioritising the well-being of local residents.
As Halloween approaches, many in Cumbernauld will be watching closely to see if Ms Dewar’s beloved display can weather this unexpected challenge and continue to bring the joy of the holiday to the neighbourhood. The outcome may serve as a bellwether for how local communities can balance festive spirit with regulatory oversight, ensuring that Halloween remains a time of fun, creativity, and community engagement.
Safety has to come first. Elaborate displays can look great but they must meet basic standards for fire safety, structural stability and safe access and egress. Simple changes such as removing trip hazards, ensuring clear sightlines, avoiding enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and having appropriate barriers and fire resistant materials often resolve the main risks. Working with the council to agree practical safeguards will protect visitors while allowing the family to keep the spirit of the display.
Safety has to come first. Props that create enclosed tunnels or obstruct pavements can pose real risks for crowding, trips and emergency access, so the council is right to act where standards are not met. That said, a sensible outcome would be to work with the family to adapt the display so it remains accessible and safe for children and avoids blocking escape routes or public walkways. Practical fixes such as clearer sightlines, stable structures, unobstructed footpaths and simple stewarding on busy nights would let the community keep the tradition without putting anyone at unnecessary risk.
Safety has to come first. Temporary installations accessible to the public need proper risk assessment, suitable barriers and clear evacuation routes, plus appropriate signage and lighting. If the display can be adapted to meet those standards or moved to a supervised, controlled location it could remain part of community celebrations. Councils should work constructively with residents to help them meet safety requirements rather than simply removing displays where possible.
Safety has to come first. Attractions that draw crowds need proper risk assessment and basic protections like stable structures clear access and effective lighting. Working with the council to agree simple changes such as secure anchoring barrier-free routes and clear signage could allow the display to stay while keeping visitors safe.