Stuttgart/Tübingen/Ulm (dpa/lsw) - No rocket and firecracker sales on New Year's Eve for two years - this year it looks different in many places, according to a survey by the German Press Agency.
Rockets, swarmers, firecrackers and batteries have no place on New Year's Eve in Tübingen's old town, as the university city announced. As in previous years, there is a strict ban on fireworks to protect the historic city center from damage. Also, for example, no fireworks may be shot in the area of the clinics. All class II fireworks, which are usually used at the turn of the year, are prohibited on the night of January 1st. Fireworks have been banned in the old town of the university town since 2009/2010. The municipal service companies in Tübingen are responsible for clearing the streets after New Year's Eve as part of normal service operations. So there are no additional costs.
The state capital of Stuttgart, in coordination with the police, is again planning a ban on fireworks. A city spokeswoman said there had been several bans on burning pyrotechnics in the past. So in 2019 by a municipal decree, in the years 2020 and 2021 by the then Corona regulations of the state. But the city has independently determined the scope here. In the past few years, the Schlossplatz was not a nice place for visitors to celebrate the turn of the year, according to the corresponding template. "Schlossplatz was overcrowded, firecrackers were shot off uncontrollably, individuals were attacked and there were sexual assaults." The situation was only brought under control by a large police presence. In 2019 there was a central city event on the Schlossplatz to celebrate a peaceful New Year. The aim this year is a similar event concept in order to make the Schlossplatz attractive again for guests of all ages and genders.
Without a ban on firecrackers, around 18 to 20 tons of waste accumulated in Stuttgart. The disposal costs are around 4000 euros, the costs for the vehicles and employees used are around 12,000 euros. All in all, a New Year's Eve cleaning - in the city center and in the north, west and east districts - costs around 16,000 euros.
In Ulm, Heidelberg, Mannheim and Freiburg there will be no bans on New Year's fireworks that go beyond the nationwide regulations, as the city spokespersons announced. The Freiburg spokeswoman said that according to the legal regulation it is already forbidden to burn pyrotechnic objects in the immediate vicinity of churches, hospitals, children's and old people's homes as well as particularly fire-sensitive buildings or systems. "There is no need to establish a ban at the municipal level."
According to a spokesman, the city of Karlsruhe has not yet ordered a firecracker ban on New Year's Eve and is not planning any such measure for this year. The same applies to Heidelberg. In coordination with the police, a so-called ban on firecrackers is currently not planned by the city. Heidelberg has not issued any bans of this kind in the past, said a spokesman. On New Year's Day, the city center will be cleaned from the early hours of the morning. Twelve employees and three sweepers work around five to six hours.
