Several areas of Bristol have seen St George’s crosses in recent days
(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Bristol City Council says it will remove or paint over any English flags painted on roads under its control.
St George’s Flags have been painted on roads, roundabouts and other infrastructure around Bristol in recent days as part of a national movement dubbed ‘Raise the Colours’. Flags have also been seen flown from street lights and telephone poles, with one even painted on to the side of Avon Gorge.
Council Leader Tony Dyer said the council did not have a problem with people flying flags, citing the example of sporting events and other times of national pride. But he said the council would be forced to intervene in cases when they were painted or otherwise drawn on infrastructure.
“The council does not routinely remove flags that are flown,” he said. “In rare cases, where a flag presents a clear health and safety concern – such as obstructing the highway or creating a risk to the public – we may need to take action as a last resort.”
A roundabout on Sturlington Road, Brislington was painted over with the national flag(Image: Bristol Live)
“Where a flag is painted onto highways infrastructure, such as mini-roundabouts, we follow very clear government guidance about how these have to look to be safe and compliant. In such cases we have a duty to remove or paint over anything painted onto these structures to comply with our legal responsibilities.”
Several roads across Bristol have been painted with the national flag in late August as a movement which started in the Midlands and has spread across the country comes to the city. People in favour of the paintings say they promote patriotism and a celebration of the country, while others have warned the flags sow division.
A roundabout in Brislington was painted over with the English flag, while road markings lining Staple Hill High Street were given the red and white treatment.
A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council, which manages many of the roads affected, echoed Cllr Dyer’s comments and added any remedial works would ultimately come at taxpayers’ expense.
“We request that members of the public do not paint any road markings or safety signs on the public highway,” the spokesperson said. “Unauthorised markings can cause confusion for drivers and pedestrians, increasing the risk of serious accidents.”
“Additionally, they must be removed or repainted to meet safety standards, which causes disruption, costs time and taxpayer money, and diverts our highways team from other essential maintenance work.”
Although proponents of the paintings enthuse over the unifying potential of getting behind the national flag, they have proved divisive.
An investigation by anti-racist advocacy group HOPE not hate found several of the people at the heart of the raise the colours movement had well-established links to the far-right.
Councillor Dyer said he supported the right of people to fly the national flag, and wanted it to be a symbol of community.
“I’m proud of our country, I’m proud to live in a country where I can express that pride by wearing or flying our national flag, and I will protect people’s right to fly flags,” he said.
“Ours is a flag that represents all of our communities, who live and work together constructively for the benefit of our country, and not a symbol for those who seek to sow hate and division.”