Flags welcomed, but taxpayers 'foot removal bill'

St George's Cross flags have appeared in towns and cities across north-east England and Cumbria

Taxpayers are being left paying the cost to remove flags put up in inappropriate places, a council has said.

Union jack and St George's flags have been hung on lampposts and painted on roundabouts around the country, including in north-east England and Cumbria, as part of a movement known as Operation Raise the Colours.

Councils across the region have said they are happy for the flags to be flown but will remove them if they are hung dangerously, with some flags having already been taken down.

Westmorland and Furness Council said it had no issue with the flags being displayed, but "local taxpayers are ultimately left footing the bill" when they had to be be moved or damage is caused.

The Liberal Democrat-run council warned that hanging items along streets could hinder the view of drivers or damage road markings and lampposts.

It said it was an offence under the Highways Act to "paint or mark" the surface of a road without consent and anyone caught doing so could be fined.

'Left with no choice'

Neighbouring local authority Cumberland Council, which has a Labour majority, has removed a row of flags displayed along the bypass from Newby West to Kingmoor Industrial Estate near Carlisle.

The council said its policy is to remove unauthorised "flags, posters and banners" attached to highways infrastructure without permission, but it supported the "right of residents to fly our national flags on their property".

Reform UK-led Durham County Council has also taken down flags which posed a danger to motorists.

"We have been left with no choice but to remove bunting across a road at New Brancepeth following a risk assessment," a council spokesperson said on Thursday.

"The rope involved was so strong that, had a high-sided vehicle driven into it, the poles it was attached to could have been pulled down."

It also warned people installing the flags that leaning ladders against lampposts could cause additional danger.

"The weight of a person climbing or working on a column can lead to structural failure, endangering both the installer and the public," it said.

Every council in the North East and Cumbria said they would only remove flags if they posed safety issues.

The councils have not revealed the cost of removing the flags.

'Limited resources'

While many people have welcomed the flags, some areas have seen St George's crosses graffitied in their towns, some accompanied by anti-immigration or racist comments.

In Thornley, County Durham, a former bar and a garage were graffitied along with racist messages aimed at the Muslim community.

Meanwhile, in Amble in Northumberland, a large England flag was painted across Warkworth Harbour accompanied by the words "Stop the boats".

In a post published on social media, Warkworth Harbour Commissioners said: "This is taking a lot of time, effort and financial cost to try and remove, which is unfair on Warkworth Harbour as we are a charity with limited resources."

Durham Police and Northumbria Police said they were investigating the graffiti in their respective areas.

An England flag was painted on to a harbour in Amble along with the words Stop The Boats

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Labour leader Alec Brown took to social media to tell his constituents he supported the raising of the flags, but chastised those sowing division.

"I take zero issue with the those who wish to demonstrate they are proud of their roots and country with the use of our national flags," he said.

"I would only take issue if the flags of my home are used to demonstrate hatred or division."

He ended his plea for peace with a sentiment seen elsewhere online: "We are all human beings, all floating around on a very small rock, in an infinitive ever expanding vacuum. Think about that."