THE leader of BCP Council is urging residents to report the “unlawful” display of flags across the area.
St George’s and union flags have appeared on roundabouts, lamp posts, crossings and traffic signals across the country as part of a political campaign ‘Operation Raise the Colours’.
The movement has received criticism from campaign groups such as Stand Up To Racism and Hope Not Hate who argue it is an attempt to promote far-right ideas and inflame tensions.
But those supporting the operation say it is simply a way of displaying their pride in their country.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) has seen several displays of flags on street furniture in the past month, with tax payers footing the bill to remove paint from roundabouts as the council says it can cause a safety risk.
And now leader of BCP Council, councillor Millie Earl, is encouraging people to report any appearances of flags so they can remove them if they pose a safety risk.
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She said that while the council is proud to fly various flags to mark civil occasions, sporting events or national celebrations, they adhere to the national government guidance which says flags must not “obscure or hinder the interpretation of official road, rail, waterway or aircraft signs, or otherwise make hazardous the use of these types of transport”.
She said: “We’re also proud of our diverse communities across our three towns and we do not support any behaviour that seeks to cause disharmony.
“We take our responsibility for maintaining safe roads and infrastructure very seriously. Attaching anything to public infrastructure, such as bridges and lamp posts without permission is likely to be unlawful and where something causes a safety risk we will remove it as a priority. This includes flags.
“Likewise, painting of flags on roads, roundabouts and crossings is unlawful and dangerous and we urge people not to do this.
“We will swiftly remove anything that risks distracting road users or affects the safety of our residents. We will take the same approach to tackling fly-posting and graffiti.
“This diverts our resource from other work that we do, so we ask people who wish to fly flags to do so from their own homes or garden.
“We encourage residents to report incidents to us so that we can respond appropriately.”
To report any issues, visit the below links:
Report a problem with a street light | BCP
If you went to any Scandinavian country you’d see flags flying all over the place. It’s not about hate or racism it’s about pride in the country and its flag.
We should adopt the same attitude.
Anyone living in England should be happy to see the flag flying .
Wrong we are British and should be proud off are flags
Excuse me!!! If I want to display pride of my country (like the Americans do) I’ll have my flag. If I was another race displaying, would I have to remove it????
I’ve got a problem with this council. I don’t like their attitude. Do you really want to encourage people to complain about their neighbours? You should be proud of being British and proud of our flag or leave this country.
There’s a Union Jack flag cable-tied to top of telegraph pole at the end of Wick Lane near entrance to Hengistbury Park.
There are at least 10 St. George’s flags cable-tied to lampposts on the left of Fairmile Road outside Christchurch Hospital onwards in direction of Hurn airport.
I strongly object, on many levels, to this coordinated and financed movement.