St George flags will not be removed, councils say

Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council will not remove flags from lamp-posts or roundabouts

Councils in Derbyshire have "no plans" to remove St George or union jack flags from lamp-posts or roundabouts.

The Reform UK-led Derbyshire County Council said it would only remove flags if they posed a danger to the public.

Labour-led Derby City Council has asked people not to paint on roundabouts and said it recognised the importance of the flags as "symbols of our national identity".

The authorities confirmed these approaches after flags were recently spotted across numerous towns in Derbyshire and other cities, towns and villages across the country.

A number of flags have been tied to lamp-posts in Prince Charles Avenue, in Mackworth

The flag movement gathered pace on social media, with the name Operation Raise the Flags.

Those behind it said they were motivated by pride and patriotism.

Others have expressed discomfort due to tensions running high across England over immigration and the St George cross often being used to promote far-right groups.

Derbyshire County Council's cabinet member for potholes, highways and transport, Charlotte Hill, said the authority was following a "risk-based" approach in line with its highways policy.

"If we are made aware that flags have been attached to lamp-posts, we will assess to see if these pose a danger to the public, and only remove them if they do pose a danger," said Hill.

She added it was "highly unlikely" the council would remove the "majority" of flags.

"The council's highways policy sets out a risk-based approach to managing these sorts of issues, including flags being attached to street lights, so that we can make sure that our roads and pavements are safe for everyone to use," she said.

"We will take the same approach if flags are painted on roundabouts."

Some zebra crossings have also been painted

Conservative leader for Derbyshire County Council, Alex Dale, said his party supported the "pragmatic stance" the county council had taken.

"Unless there are clear safety concerns, the St George's and union flags should be left in place," said the opposition leader.

"It is important that people are able to show national pride, and the flying of our flags in public spaces is part of that.

"To remove them unnecessarily would feel like an insult to many people across Derbyshire."

Derby City Council said it would "proudly" fly the union jack and St George flag outside the Council House

Whilst reminding people not to paint over roundabouts, the city council added there were no plans to repaint or remove the red St George cross.

Sarah Chambers, cabinet member for cost of living, equalities and communities, said the council "understands and shares the pride our residents have in being British".

Chambers said painting over roundabouts could cause "distractions to drivers, which is a safety issue", and asked people not to paint any property that was not owned by them.

"We expect the markings will naturally wear off, so we have no plans to go out and repaint the roundabouts," said Chambers.

"We proudly fly the union flag outside the Council House every day and recognise the importance of the union flag and flag of St George as symbols of our national identity."

'Shared identity'

City council Conservative leader, Steve Hassall, said he welcomed the council's decision not to remove the display of St George and union jack flags across the city.

"I am personally very happy to see this demonstration of patriotism by local residents," said the opposition leader.

"The sudden influx of flags is, to me, a clear sign that people feel their voices are not always being listened to and want to show that in a way that can only be described as a peaceful protest."

Hassall added that no-one should "feel offended or fearful" at the sight of the St George or union jack flag.

"It should be a source of pride for us all when we see it displayed," said Hassall.

"Derby is a city with a rich history and a strong sense of community, and I believe the flying of these flags is an expression of that shared identity."