Overview
- Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and Wiltshire Council have told residents they must not affix England flags to lampposts, railings or other council land and that unauthorised items may be taken down.
- Councils say attaching items to highway structures can obstruct visibility and create trip or road hazards, which is why they point to Section 132(2) of the Highways Act 1980 to justify removal.
- Bristol leader Tony Dyer urged people to celebrate responsibly but warned that fixing flags to public property causes health and safety issues and will be dealt with quickly.
- The notices follow an Independent Monitoring Board finding that staff at a short-term holding facility had worn England flags, a point officials say has increased sensitivity about visible patriotism in public-sector settings.
- Officials stress that private flag displays on homes are allowed while unauthorised public fixings will be removed to protect infrastructure, keep highways clear and help maintain a welcoming local environment.