Costs mounting as councils remove St George's Cross paintings
Councils have issued a plea to stop defacing public highways and infrastructure
The bill for cleaning up crossings and roundabouts - painted with a St George’s Cross flag across Devon - could now run into tens of thousands of pounds.
Plymouth City Council has said 20 highway locations were targeted over the bank holiday weekend and there's been incidents in Torbay.
Julian Brazil, the Leader of the County Council, warns: "We will judge each case as it is but if there's a possible danger to the public - or an inconvenience that could affect drivers of pedestrians - then we will have to remove it and that will of course cost time and money for the council.
"We need to take a pretty pragmatic approach and for those that are doing it for the right reasons - you know celebrating the women's rugby world cup in Exeter for example that's great and I applaud that.
"The danger is that it's being hijacked."
Plymouth City Council said painted flags have also appeared on numerous signs and walls since the council publicly asked residents to refrain from placing flags or painting symbols on public roads and roundabouts.
In a statement the council said: “The unauthorised markings will now be assessed and removed in order of priority based on the risk to road safety.
“Each one could cost up to £660 to repaint, due to the need for specialist materials and traffic management measures to protect our staff working in live traffic environments.
“All unauthorised markings have been reported to the police, who are responsible for enforcement.”
In Torbay, a number of mini-roundabouts were ‘defaced’ with red paint crosses. In some places bollards have been painted with crosses, and in other places the crosses have been painted across white line markings in the road.
Cllr Adam Billings, whose role includes responsibility for highways, said: “I am proud of my country and our history and support the flying of the Union Flag and the St George’s Cross in appropriate locations. We have the flag at both Torquay and Brixham town halls and I have asked Officers to consider other appropriate locations.
“However I would ask people not to deface our road network or other public property.
“Doing so can cause safety risks for road users and increased costs for local council tax payers. As an alternative, the option is always there for people to fly the flag at their own home.”
A spokesperson for the council added: “The council wants to emphasise that unauthorised painting or the placement of stickers or flags on Torbay’s road network, bollards, and official signage is not acceptable. These features are critical to the safe and legal operation of local highways, providing essential information to both drivers and pedestrians.
“Altering or obscuring signage and road features is a breach of the Highways Act and poses a serious risk to public safety. The council will take appropriate action where an individual is found to have defaced public or private property.
“In line with the council’s legal responsibilities, SWISCo will be removing unauthorised markings, stickers, and flags to maintain highway safety and protect Torbay’s valued public spaces.”