Men were seen tying a Union Jack and England flags around Piccadilly Gardens
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Union Jack and St George’s flags put up in Manchester city centre ‘overnight’ will NOT be removed by the council — on two conditions.
Videos posted on social media on Wednesday (August 27) show men tying a Union Jack to scaffolding on Market Street, with more than a dozen UK and England flags spotted around Piccadilly Gardens on Thursday (August 28) morning.
In recent days, grassroots ‘Operation Raise The Colours’ has seen members of the public attach Union Jacks or St George’s flags to street furniture like lamp-posts across the country.
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The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands Manchester council will not remove the flags so long as they do not present a safety concern, and putting them up has not caused criminal damage.
Top councillor Pat Karney said he was ‘not getting excited’ about the city centre flags, adding he wants to see more St George’s crosses in official locations.
“So long as it’s not a safety concern and it’s not damaging anything or dangerous for anyone, I am not getting excited about it,” Coun Karney told BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday.
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“I have worked with the St George’s Association that puts on the festival every year. I have got some great ideas on putting these flags up 1756378093.”
The city centre spokesperson slammed anyone painting red lines on mini-roundabouts to resemble the flag of St George, as has been seen across Greater Manchester this week.
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“That’s bonkers,” he added. “The roads we drive on and cycle on are highly regulated for a reason — to keep everyone safe. We do not want any road safety problems, messing around with signs. They will start painting traffic lights soon.
“That’s got to stop. It’s completely different to your right to put your flag up.
“Driving has to be a safe pursuit. We are asking people to use their common sense and do not do that.
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“It’s stupid. We are endangering people on the roads. That’s completely different to putting flag on lamp-posts.”
Yesterday, Oldham council issued a similar statement, warning residents not to paint mini-roundabouts.
It said: “It costs public money to repair the damage, which could be better spent on vital services. It also presents a safety issue on roundabouts, which have strict guidance on how they should look.
“It is important that we honour the Union and St George’s flags and fly them properly – spraying them on the ground does not do them justice.”