A council has been slammed after spending £15,000 to remove St George’s Cross flags from lamp posts. The Liberal Democrat council has been accused of being “out of touch” after taking down and painting over more than 333 flags across the area.
Oxfordshire County Council said the flags, which cost an average of £45 to remove, posed a “serious safety hazard” and reduced visibility for drivers. Despite criticism, they have doubled down on their action, adding that they would be “stepping up” the flag removals. The move has been criticised as “ludicrous” by local Conservative councillor Liam Walker.
He told The Telegraph: “Only a Lib Dem council could think it’s acceptable to spend over £15,000 removing flags from lamp posts while residents are left dodging potholes on roads that are crumbling by the day.
“It’s frankly ludicrous that our street lighting teams are being sent out under the cover of darkness to take down flags, yet when residents try to get dangerous potholes fixed, they often have to wait weeks or months for basic repairs to be done.
“Given the very real issues facing people across Oxfordshire, from road safety to basic infrastructure, this simply should not be a priority for the Lib Dem administration. It shows just how out of touch they are with what residents actually care about.”
St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags have been appearing up and down the UK following the launch of Operation Raise the Colours. Those responsible for the movement claim they are motivated by patriotism, while others argue the flags are provocative at a time when tensions are high over immigration.
While the flags have remained in some areas, other councils have opted to take them down, which has sparked fury among local communities. In Oxfordshire, the council claims to have removed flags to “keep everyone safe”.
An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said: “As a council, we proudly fly both the Union and St George’s flags. We also welcome residents displaying flags on their own property.
“However, placing flags or painting them on or near highways can create serious safety hazards. These include reduced visibility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, and increased risk of distraction.
“In addition, installing flags on street furniture or near roads can lead to personal injury or property damage. For these reasons, we strongly advise people against doing so.”
They added: “With the current darker, windier and wetter weather, these risks are increasing. We are therefore stepping up the removal of flags and other unauthorised items.”