Council crackdown on flags painted on roundabouts

Councils have asked people to stop painting the flag of St George on mini roundabouts, including in Habrough, North East Lincolnshire

People are being urged to stop painting St George's flags on roundabouts.

It comes during a trend over the past fortnight of individuals covering mini-roundabouts with the red cross to represent England.

North Lincolnshire (NLC) and North East Lincolnshire (NELC) councils have joined other authorities across the country asking people to refrain from painting the crosses.

Rob Waltham, leader of NLC, said: "Whilst I understand much of the passion behind recent events, it is not appropriate to paint over road markings, which exist solely to promote road safety."

Meanwhile, NELC said it would remove "where necessary" any unsafe or unauthorised displays of flags that could distract drivers.

Small England flags have been placed on a number of lampposts, including in Immingham, North East Lincolnshire

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, NLC said it would not use taxpayer's money to paint over already daubed roundabouts.

The authority has encouraged residents to fly the flags of Lincolnshire and the Isle of Axholme and added that going forward, it would fly the England flag for occasions, including supporting national sports teams.

Waltham said: "Flying our national flags should never be something anyone feels shame in but nor must it be something that becomes divisive or which breaches the law.

"Let's work together to show our pride in our country and in our county."

A former Cleethorpes councillor, Matt Brown, said: "The Union Flag and Cross of Saint George represent the unique patchwork quilt of multiculturalism that makes our nation great.

"That our forefathers fought for, be they Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh or no religion.

"They fought for us to have freedom of speech, but with that came responsibility to our neighbour."

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