Streets in downtown Beijing will be closed for residents to set off fireworks during Spring Festival, officials have said.

A total of 102 streets in the capital will be closed for half an hour on the eve of the Lunar New Year as part of a plan of the Beijing municipal office for fireworks management to facilitate the practice, officials said.

Traffic in the designated areas will be controlled for the setting off of fireworks from 11:45 pm tomorrow night to 12:12 am on Thursday, covering eight districts and 106 communities.

The move is not a sign to encourage organizing the collective use of fireworks, officials said.

Instead, it is meant to be an effective way to prevent fire accidents, with volunteers from the community helping to keep order during the festivities, officials added.

The 102 designated streets do not include main roads or public bus routes and are situated far from places deemed particularly vulnerable to fire, officials said.

The traffic police will set up temporary posts to monitor vehicles. Drivers will be reminded to stay off the designated streets in advance and violators will be fined, officials said.

Cyclists and pedestrians will not be affected by the closure.

The fire department will also be put on standby. Firefighters will be on duty during the period for any eventuality and to help ensure fire safety.

(China Daily February 5, 2008)