Two Conservative members of Cumberland Council are asking for consistent safety rules after dozens of flags have been attached to lampposts in the area.
Gareth Ellis, who represents Wetheral, is due to propose a motion at the authority’s full council meeting on Tuesday, to be seconded by Mike Johnson, who represents Thursby.
They want to know why hoardings, banners and flags given permission by the council to be hung from lampposts and bridges are safe, but any that are not given official permission are deemed a safety risk.
Union flags have been appearing across the country and roundabouts painted with the George Cross flags over the last few weeks. It has sparked controversy as some have questioned the motives behind Operation Raise the Colours.
It has been reported that the authority has removed a row of flags near the Kingmoor Industrial Estate in Carlisle.
It previously said: “Cumberland Council is proud to fly our national flags on our property. We support the right of residents to fly our national flags on their property.
“Unauthorised flags, posters, banners or other items attached to highways infrastructure without permission are removed to avoid causing distractions to road users and damaging infrastructure.”
Coun Ellis and Coun Johnson’s motion says: “That the council further notes that across Cumberland there are bridges and structures over the highway that carry large, council-branded banners and flags, as well as hoardings for council schemes such as the Carlisle Southern Link Road.
“These demonstrate that prominent displays on or over the highway are routinely managed through permissions and safety checks.
“That the council recalls its own statement: ‘Unauthorised flags, posters, banners or other items attached to highways infrastructure without permission are removed to avoid causing distractions to road users and damaging infrastructure.’
“That the council asks why national flags on lampposts were not offered the same permission route and safety checks that apply to council banners and hoardings before removal.”
They request that the council asks:
- Will the director for place and economy, in consultation with the council leader, publish within four weeks one simple, content-neutral rule for lamppost displays, covering permission, safe fixings, sizes, heights, and prohibited locations, applied equally to council banners/hoardings and national flags of Britain?
- Will officers adopt the York/Worcestershire approach: allow lamppost flags that can meet safety tests, but act immediately against vandalism and illegal markings on roundabouts, crossings, or signs?
- Will a short schedule be brought listing existing permitted highway-side council displays across Cumberland (roundabout sponsorship boards, bridge banners, CSLR hoardings) and the safety checks used, so residents can use the same route for national flags of Britain?
- Westmorland and Furness Council said it had no issue with the flags being displayed, but local taxpayers ultimately paid for it when they had to be be moved or damage was caused. It added that it was an offence under the Highways Act to paint or mark the surface of a road without consent and anyone caught doing so could be fined.
