While Staffordshire County Council has said the red crosses of St George painted onto mini roundabouts will be removed, “when time and resources allow”, a Biddulph councillor believes they should remain on view to keep drivers alert.
The red crosses have been painted onto mini roundabouts in Biddulph, one on Park Lane and one at the top of St John’s Road going into St David’s Way.
Their arrival came after England’s national flag and the Union Jack were tied onto lamp posts in many towns and cities in the last few weeks as part of a so-called “patriotism campaign” spurred on by Operation Raise the Colours. It claims to be non-partisan but has been supported by several figures and organisations associated with the far-right, including the fascist political party Britain First and far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Hope Not Hate has said it was co-founded by Andrew Currien, who has alleged links to Britain First.
A group called the Weoley Warriors started a flag display campaign in the Weoley area of Birmingham, which also spread.
Coun Nick Ireland, the Liberal Democrat leader of Dorset Council, warned in August that the campaign had been “hijacked” by the far-right to promote its extremist agenda and said that flying flags could intimidate residents because of this alleged far-right association.
As reported in the “Chronicle” last week, Biddulph Labour Coun Nigel Yates said the painting of the cross of St George on roads was “unnecessary” and “disrespectful” and that there was a “time and a place for patriotism”.
However Reform UK County Coun Mike Broom, who represents Biddulph North said it was a sign of “solidarity” and while he could not condone it said: “I can understand why people do it”.
This week, referring to the painted mini roundabouts in Biddulph Coun Yates said: “It looks disgusting, they’ve been there for some days and to be honest they look absolutely awful.”
Coun Yates added: “They should be removed for the simple reason that they are a distraction to motorists.
“The other thing is when you look at the decrepit state they are in, it’s not exactly flying the flag of patriotism, it’s just jumping on the bandwagon and it looks absolutely appalling.
“In Muslim countries if you put the flag on the floor and stamp on it it’s a sign of disrespect, so surely putting a flag on the floor and driving a 4×4 on it is equally a sign of disrespect.”
Said Coun Yates: “Put a flag on a flagpole and fly them high 365 days of the year, don’t put them on the floor for people to walk over in the wind and rain and dirt.”
Asked if the cross of St George on mini roundabouts in Biddulph was a distraction County Coun Broom said: “I think it could possibly enhance people’s spatial awareness because it makes them alert.”
He also referred to the long-running dispute in Birmingham where bins have not been collected for months.
“The council in Birmingham is paying people to go and take down flags and repaint roundabouts white. Why are they doing that and not collecting the bins?”
When asked if Reform UK-controlled Staffordshire County Council, as the highways authority, would be painting over the mini roundabouts in Biddulph and elsewhere, County Coun Peter Mason, Cabinet member for strategic highways, said: “Although we appreciate people showing their patriotism, we cannot condone painting highways assets in this way.
“This presents a safety and insurance issue, and will have to be removed at the expense of the taxpayer. Any markings reported to us via our ReportIt system will be inspected and removed when time and resources allow.
“We would encourage residents to show their love for their county in other ways that do not involve painting the highway, such as flying a flag if it is done in a safe way.”
(Photo: Nigel Yates).
