Plymouth 'St George' flag clean up could cost tens of thousands

Emblem daubed extensively as immigration tensions rise

The bill for cleaning up Plymouth’s crossings and roundabouts which have been painted with a St George’s Cross could run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Plymouth City Council said 20 highway locations were reported with unauthorised markings over the bank holiday weekend. 

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 on Wednesday, 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.”

It was last week that the St George’s Cross began to appear around the city fuelled by a social media campaign.

What started nationally in support of the Lionesses campaign for Euros victory motivated by pride and patriotism, has now seen thousands more flags this month, with concern from some people that it is provocative at a time when tensions are running high across England over immigration.

There are fears that flags are being used as emblems for far-right movements and that others are jumping on the bandwagon and causing vandalism.

After a sign at Peverell Park Surgery in Plymouth was defaced with red paint staff said on their Facebook page: “Regardless of political views or agenda, this is pure vandalism. Hopefully our CCTV has captured the culprit.

“The saddest part is this will now cost money to repair/replace, money that could have been spent so much better. We don’t get government handouts or have an unlimited budget to clear up after criminals.”

Fortunately local cleaning company House Wash Pro stepped in and washed off the spray paint. They also offered to clean up at other locations for free, as have similar cleaning companies.

House Wash Pro said: “Although we support the raising of the flag we support it in the correct way with respect for others’ property and respect of the English culture.

“Vandalising other properties is not a way of spreading the word or message that you love the country you live in.”

Plymouth Conservatives have welcomed the sudden unfurling of St George’s flags around Plymouth as a “show of patriotism” – but have condemned anyone causing vandalism.

Cllr Lee Finn (Con, Budshead) said it was great to see the people enacting pride in the national flag, a true symbol of Britishness, and it was time “we culturally celebrate who we are”. 

He added: “We cannot condone damage to the highway’s infrastructure and ask the public to not do so, such as painting over roundabouts or other council property, or flyposting. Fly the flag: yes, painting over street infrastructure: no.”

The Labour-led Plymouth City Council stressed that The Highways Act 1980 states it is an offence to affix items to structures on the highway without the consent of the highway authority, without reasonable excuse and the council will remove any such items.