Reform council ‘will remove’ roundabout paint as social media blame Labour
A Reform-run council in Worcestershire has confirmed it will remove roundabout paint in the county as Labour got caught in a social media blame game over the situation.
Roundabouts painted with a red St George’s Cross have been reported across Birmingham, as well as in areas such as Bromsgrove and Redditch outside of the city.
It follows the appearance of the Union Jack and England flags in Birmingham neighbourhoods such as Weoley Castle and Northfield, with thousands of pounds raised to support the campaigns.
Birmingham City Council had faced criticism online after issuing a safety warning over the flags – but some posts have directed anger towards the local authority in a misleading manner.
One video, shared by a right-wing ‘activist and political’ organisation on Facebook, appeared to show a vehicle cleaning the St George’s Cross colours off a roundabout and featured a caption heavily criticising the “Labour-run” council in Birmingham.
As of Wednesday afternoon, has been viewed millions of times and attracted thousands of comments since it was posted the day before.
But the video actually showed a roundabout in Bromsgrove and therefore an area covered by Worcestershire County Council (WCC) – a local authority run by a Reform UK minority administration.
A spokesperson for WCC confirmed today that any “unofficial actions” on the county’s roads and roundabouts could be distracting and would be removed.
West Mercia Police meanwhile warned that painting roundabouts is “dangerous to drivers and pedestrians” and could also amount to criminal damage.
The spokesperson from Worcestershire County Council said: “All road markings on the county’s highway network are strictly regulated for safety, including those on roundabouts of any size.
“Changes to agreed road markings must not be made unless approved by the Highway Authority, in line with these regulations.
“Unofficial actions on the highway network could be distracting or cause confusion to some road users so will therefore be removed.”
Richard Field, West Mercia Police Safer Neighbourhood Inspector, added: “Painting roundabouts is not only dangerous to drivers and pedestrians but it also amounts to criminal damage.
“We are working closely with partners, including Worcestershire County Council, to tackle this issue and will investigate where appropriate.”
Birmingham City Council echoed a similar message about the roundabouts this week, saying: “Painting the flag of St George on road islands, while expressing national pride, is unlawful and potentially dangerous for the person painting the flag and for motorists.”
Asked about roundabouts being painted on, West Midlands Police added yesterday: “We’re aware of criminal damage having occurred and we’re carrying out further enquiries.”
Birmingham City Council ‘has not removed any England flags since start of August’
The presence of the flags, as well as the roundabouts being painted, has sparked a passionate debate in recent days.
Those responsible describe it as a patriotic move to celebrate the country – but there’s also concern from others amid claims flags were being flown for political reasons and to stir up division.
Regarding the flags, a Birmingham City Council spokesperson said previously that it “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,” they added.
The council also confirmed this week that it has not removed any England or Union flags since the start of August, adding: “Prior to that we have not kept an inventory but removed attachments as routine.”
In a statement last week, it provided an update on ongoing work to upgrade street lighting in the city, which it said would 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.”
The council said those who attached unauthorised items to lampposts could be “putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk”.
The listed risks included falling debris, electrical hazards, obscured visibility and weakening of the lamppost.
“We’re continuing to do this every week and would ask that staff doing this work be allowed to continue this work unhindered,” the council added.
