Council issues warning about St George’s flag on roundabouts
Oldham Council has issued a warning against painting St George's flags on public property, such as roundabouts and roads, citing illegality under the Highways Act 1980, safety risks for motorists and pedestrians, and unnecessary costs to public funds. The council supports flying flags properly on private property but condemns graffiti. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham suggested such actions may be confrontational, while perpetrators elsewhere claim patriotic motives.
Oldham Council has warned residents that painting St George’s flags on public property is a criminal offence after the red-cross emblem appeared on a roundabout in Fitton Hill and at three Trafford roundabouts, together with road junctions in Sale.
A council spokesperson said the markings breach Section 132 of the Highways Act 1980, endanger motorists and pedestrians, and divert public money from vital services: “We have had reports of flags being painted on some of our buildings and roads. Painting flags over public property is illegal. Marking roads and roundabouts like this is a criminal offence … which requires them to be removed due to safety and legal requirements.”
The spokesperson added that while the council flies the Union flag daily and supports free expression on private property, “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.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told BBC Radio last week that those responsible for similar acts elsewhere claim “pride and patriotism” but may be “seeking confrontation”, stressing: “If people want to display it, fine on their own property, but I don’t think you’ve got the right to go out and paint public property.”
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