Road crossing painted with St George flag 'unsafe'

Ashford Green party members say the St George flag has been painted on a zebra crossing in Osborne Road, Willesborough

A local authority says it is working to "restore" a zebra crossing after St George flags were painted on it.

The markings appeared on Osborne Road in Willesborough, Ashford, as part of the "Raise the Colours" campaign, which encourages public displays of the English flag.

Mandy Rossi, co-chairperson of Ashford Green Party, told Radio Kent she supported residents flying flags at their own property, but not when it comes to "tampering road markings - that causes distractions".

Peter Osbourne, KCC cabinet member for highways, said officers were assessing the crossing and would work with relevant authorities to ensure it is "restored to its former condition and safe for public use".

Mr Osbourne said: "Unauthorised painting on highways infrastructure, such as road markings or zebra crossings, is considered graffiti.

"We will act where markings pose a safety risk - such as obscuring visibility at crossings or signage."

Co-chairperson of the Ashford Green Party Mandy Rossi says flags painted on the crossing is a safety hazard

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said "damaging or defacing" road safety infrastructure is illegal.

They added it "also undermines safety by distracting drivers, reducing the visibility of important road features, and creating uncertainty about how to navigate the junction safely".

Ms Rossi said the red paint had made the crossing "virtually invisible at night", and warned that the type of paint used could become a safety hazard.

"It can become slippery and dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers who have to suddenly break," she said.

"When the flags starts going on road markings and roundabouts, we do have a safety issue."

Dover resident Ian Taylor, who is from the Alliance of British Drivers, told the BBC graffiti has always been part of the society "since time immemorial".

"If graffiti defaces a traffic sign to the point they are no longer effective as traffic signs, then that's taking it too far."

Mr Taylor added zebra crossings are purposefully painted black and white to draw attention.

When asked if he believes the St George flag on the crossing causes a distraction, he replied "not sure about distraction, it might draw people's attention to the traffic sign".

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: "Where complaints are received from property owners regarding criminal damage, officers will look to establish the circumstances, in the normal way."