A controversial £12,000 floral St George’s flag display has been installed on a roundabout in Chilton, prompting criticism from Labour MP Alan Strickland and the town council, according to reports. Strickland highlighted a lack of public consultation, while Chilton Town Council expressed strong opposition to the expenditure, citing concerns over the use of public money. The display, a red and white floral St George's cross, has sparked debate in the former mining town.
The project was funded by £9,540 in Section 106 contributions from developers and approximately £2,500 from Durham County Council, according to a council document. According to the document, the Section 106 funds had to be committed by a May deadline or they would revert, and the roundabout was previously a plain grass verge. The county council's additional contribution helped meet the total cost, covering materials and installation.
If other funding becomes available it should focus on Chilton's true heritage as a mining town, a massive stone carving saying 'Welcome to Chilton' or a miner's carriage would be great.
Reform county councillor Stephen Bowron defended the design, asserting that the roundabout will become a recognized landmark expressing patriotic pride, following a village mural. He claimed to have consulted approximately 70 residents, all of whom endorsed the proposal. Reform UK councillor Joe Quinn, speaking to the Daily Express, described the display as looking very good and highlighted the St George's cross formed by poppies, which he said serves as a remembrance symbol. Both councillors emphasized that the installation boosts community spirit and national pride.
Resident Sharon Goodchild spoke out against the scheme to BBC News, arguing that it neglected Chilton's mining heritage. She suggested alternatives such as a stone carving or a miner's carriage would have been more fitting. Goodchild also stated that the patriotic theme was inappropriate for a town that has grown multicultural, potentially excluding some residents. Her criticism reflects a broader debate about how to represent diverse community identities in public spaces.
that is only for a selected few and Chilton is now a multicultural town
Durham County Council oversaw the A167 roundabout's transformation, according to a spokesperson. A council official named Reed, whose full role was not specified, stated that any community group can apply for Section 106 funding and that this was the only application submitted at the time. Reed explained that the funding is intended to mitigate the impacts of development on local communities, and the council contributed additional money to meet the project's cost. The council confirmed that no other proposals were received, making the roundabout plan the default choice.
This is yet another sign that our Reform-led council are completely unserious about how they spend our money.
Any community group can apply for Section 106 funding, and, at the time, this scheme was the only submission.
It was a plain grassed roundabout - and it's now got a lovely St George's cross made out of poppies. To be perfectly honest with you, I live nearby, and it looks absolutely fantastic.