'Remove flags' plea to Calderdale Council as 50 Union Jacks put up in one town
Calderdale Council has been urged to remove Union Jack flags put up illegally in the borough.
Elland resident Paul Hanson put his plea to Calderdale Council’s cabinet, saying there were around 50 flags tracing a route through his town alone.
He Hanson said he was Calderdale born and bred and has lived here for 70 years.
“My question is about the number of Union Jacks that are displayed on council property,” he said.
“I’m aware that there are flags placed throughout Calderdale – the ones I am raising an issue about are the ones specifically in my area, which stretch from outside the town hall in Elland, down Southgate, across Victoria Road, through Jepson Lane, along Longwall, down Saddleworth Road and into West Vale.
“There are approximately 50 of these, placed basically out of reach, high up on council property, attached to lamp posts.
“I assume these are placed nefariously at night with somebody with a cherry-picker, by parties I suspect are unknown.”
Mr Hanson said media has reported that such unauthorised attaching of flags to highway structures was not permitted and it was also illegal under the Highway Act.
“My question to the cabinet is why is the council allowing a significant, regular, widespread and growing number of flags to remain on council property when this is both against council policy and illegal?” he asked.
Responding, cabinet member for Regeneration and Transport, Coun Sarah Courtney (Lab, Calder) said it was not permitted to attach flags to street lights and columns or other highway structures as this can present risks and danger to the public.
“The council considers any reports of unauthorised flags on a case-by-case basis, responding proportionately and prioritising road safety,” she said.
“Where we believe any unauthorised flags pose an immediate risk to an asset or road safety they will be removed.
“Where we believe there is no immediate risk or low risk, these issues will be added to a regular programme of works and addressed in due course.”
Calderdale Council announced its stance on flags painted on roundabouts and hung from lamp posts in September.
It said then it was not permitted to attach flags to street lighting columns or other highways structures, or paint symbols on highways or roundabouts without permission, as this can present risks and damage public assets.