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St George's Cross painted on mini-roundabouts triggers row between locals

The roundabouts were painted as the council took down flags attached to lampposts

[The St Georges Cross has been painted on mini-roundabouts across the city]

The St Georges Cross has been painted on mini-roundabouts across the city(Image: Joseph Walshe/SWNS)

Locals in a major UK city have taken to the streets amid a flag row and have painted the St Georges Cross on several mini roundabouts. In Birmingham, residents expressed their frustration after the Birmingham City Council declared that flags displayed from lampposts, which were put up by people in the area, would be taken down.

The Union Jack and St George's Cross were showcased in the Weoley Castle and Northfield neighbourhoods. Community members said that their actions were motivated by a sense of patriotism.

However, the city council removed the flags and issued a safety warning to residents contemplating putting up flags on lampposts and other street furniture. Locals raised the Union Jack and St George's flags as part of an online initiative known as Operation Raise the Colours.

City officials mandated the removal of the flags due to safety issues. The authorities claimed that these "unauthorised items" pose 'risks' and could potentially endanger drivers and pedestrians.

In response to the announcement, numerous mini roundabouts in Kings Heath and Yardley Wood have been painted, with reports of additional roundabouts being painted in other locations. The Union Jack and St George's Cross have also been spotted on lampposts in the Weoley Castle and Northfield regions of the city, as reported by SWNS.

[Two roundabouts on the junctions of Yardley Wood Road, Chinnbrook Road and Haunch Lane which has been painted with a St George's Flag.]

Two roundabouts on the junctions of Yardley Wood Road, Chinnbrook Road and Haunch Lane which has been painted with a St George's Flag.

The council announced that it had taken down approximately 200 flags while enhancing streetlights with energy-efficient LED lighting. West Midlands Police mentioned that they had not yet received any reports of criminal damage.

Nonetheless, the police force stated that they would look into any claims of criminal damage reported by the local authority or a member of the community. Residents from the affected areas have shared varied opinions on the revamped traffic islands.

One woman in Kings Heath said: "It is nothing more than sheer, wanton vandalism. There is nothing patriotic about having a spray can and damaging a roundabout. The council cant afford to fix the potholes, let alone repaint mini islands idiots have defaced."

[Roundabout at the junction of Haunch Lane and Warstock Lane which has been painted with a St George's Flag]

Roundabout at the junction of Haunch Lane and Warstock Lane which has been painted with a St George's Flag

Resident Ian Anderson, 40, said: "I certainly dont agree with vandalising roads or roundabouts, after all flags are just flags and can be taken down. However, there is a real sense that people who are proud to be British are being made to feel ashamed of their patriotism. I dont see anything wrong with flags on lampposts, it reminds me of when the World Cup or Olympics is on."

Speaking to the BBC, another local said it was "not patriotic", adding: "It just feels like an excuse for xenophobia. There are better ways to show pride - ways that are inclusive and respectful, not resorting to vandalism."

Several residents from the Weoley Castle and Northfield neighbourhoods in Birmingham shared with BBC Radio WM their approval of the flags being displayed. One woman said: "It's patriotic, so I think it's wonderful. It symbolises us, doesn't it, Great Britain?"

[Roundabout at the junction of Yardley Wood Road and Haunch Lane which has been painted with a St George's Flag]

Roundabout at the junction of Yardley Wood Road and Haunch Lane which has been painted with a St George's Flag

Another woman said: "I believe they're fantastic, [they] bring joy to people's faces. They're harmless, just fluttering in the breeze, representing England, which is where we are, of course."

As reported by Birmingham Live, a Birmingham City Council spokesperson earlier this week said the local authority proudly flies the Union Flag outside the council house every day. We recognise the importance of the Union Flag and Flag of St George as symbols of national pride, they said.

Brummies are proud to be British and proud that this is a welcoming city celebrating many different cultures. When it comes to items attached to lamp posts, it is normal council procedure for these to be removed on a regular basis, in line with our health and safety obligations.

As has always been the case, people are free to fly or hang flags from their homes or gardens, but we ask that they are not attached to street furniture. The city council issued a statement last week about its ongoing work to upgrade street lighting in the city, which will involve taking down attachments from lampposts.

Work is due to begin imminently, and lamp columns need to remain free from attachments so work can be carried out as quickly and safely as possible, it said. Lampposts and other street furniture need to be protected, which is why highways staff across the city removed around 200 advertising banners and flags that had been attached to lampposts since the start of this year. They take down attachments from lampposts routinely, including advertising signs, bunting trails and flags.

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