Surrey County Council has removed 1,003 St George's and Union flags attached to its lampposts and highway infrastructure, according to the council. The council stated that flags attached to lampposts and highway infrastructure can pose a safety risk to drivers and pedestrians. Tim Oliver, the Conservative leader of Surrey County Council, said the council's contractor prioritises and removes any flags that present an immediate safety risk, with all other flags addressed as part of routine highway maintenance activities. All flags attached to lampposts must be approved by Surrey County Council, and unauthorised flags are removed as standard procedure, the council confirmed. A Green Party councillor for Redhill East described the council's current policy as not working and said the continued presence of flags implies consent and gives tacit legitimacy to their intimidating presence, according to Daily Express - UK News.
Shropshire Council plans to take down unauthorised Union Jacks and St George's flags attached to lampposts and street furniture, the council announced. Erecting flags on public highways without approval could constitute a criminal offence, Shropshire Council stated.
Our contractor prioritises and removes any flags that present an immediate safety risk. All other flags are addressed as part of routine highway maintenance activities.
The widespread flying of flags across the country started last year following an online movement called Operation Raise the Colours, multiple reports indicate.
To date, we have removed 1,003 flags from the network, and we estimate that approximately 308 remain.