If you haven’t made your New Year’s Eve plans yet and are hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous London fireworks, you may want to reconsider your choice of viewing spot.
Local authorities are advising Londoners to “stay away” from several popular areas, including Tower Bridge and London Bridge, due to poor visibility of the fireworks.
While these two locations are commonly associated with prime viewing of the display, the City Bridge Foundation (CFS), which manages both bridges, has warned that the bend in the river and obstructing buildings will prevent a clear view of the fireworks. They recommend that people without tickets for the official viewing areas should consider alternative ways to celebrate.
“We don’t want to be party poopers, but the fact is, if you go to Tower Bridge or London Bridge to see the fireworks, you will only wish you hadn’t,” said Paul Martinelli, CFS chair. “Your best bet is to watch the fireworks on TV or enjoy the celebrations in one of London’s many fantastic pubs, bars, or restaurants.”
Last year’s “Stay Away” campaign successfully reduced the number of people gathering at the bridges, with fewer crowds than in previous years.
The City of London Police also urges residents to prioritize safety during the celebrations. Commander Umer Khan OBE reassured the public that officers would monitor the area to prevent and respond to criminal activity.
“Tower Bridge and London Bridge are outside the firework event footprint and will be open to traffic,” Commander Khan said. “We urge people not to stop on those bridges on New Year’s Eve as the fireworks are not visible from these locations.”
Crowd control measures will also be in place at other bridge locations such as Southwark, Millennium, and Blackfriars, meaning they may not be accessible to the public.
Official tickets for the New Year’s Eve fireworks display are sold out, and the CFS advises those without tickets to enjoy the event from home or find other ways to celebrate safely.
