Flags or painted markings that may be distracting or hazardous to drivers are being removed strictly on ‘safety grounds’, the Isle of Wight Council has said.
County Hall provided an update after Union Jack flags were raised on lampposts along the length of York Avenue in East Cowes on Monday (22nd September).
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said:
“Ensuring the safety of road users remains the Isle of Wight Council’s highest priority.
“As part of this commitment, any flags or painted markings that may pose a distraction or hazard to drivers are being removed strictly on safety grounds.
“In addition, we do not permit unauthorised attachments to street lighting columns or other street furniture.
“Island Roads has been instructed to carry out removals only when it is safe and practical to do so, unless the items present an immediate danger to the public.
“We thank residents for their understanding and cooperation as we continue working to keep our roads safe for everyone.”
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Earlier this week (Wednesday 24th September), independent East Cowes county councillor Karl Love said the flags ‘look amazing’ but added they had ‘sadly caused division’.
Cllr Love, who described himself as ‘deeply patriotic’, said:
“Flags flown in York Avenue look amazing but are not lawfully in place. I once proposed that we had a row of flag poles in York Avenue and would still wish to achieve this at some point.
“It is the purpose of placing these flags as they have been at this time which is a cause of division – far from the purpose of the Union Flag to unite. We are all interpreting the placement in different ways.
“These Union Flags have sadly caused division. Even before my awareness of them residents had reported this to Island Roads, councillors and the police, requesting their removal.
“I’m proud of our flag but there are a great many people who feel threatened about the political meanings of them being placed at this time.”
He added that the Union Flag is about bringing different nations, cultures and all peoples together.
Disgusting, anti British sentiment.
Well, that’s it.
You’ve poked the bear.
Il wager they wouldn’t remove a Palestine flag for fear of causing offence.
No matter how divisive they actually are.
Maybe the 2 large union jack flags on the front of east cowes town council building should be removed due to safety reasons….you can see them when you drive past….I bet Councillor Love doesn’t think they are divisive ….
Totally agree
This is ridiculous, raise the colours Britain and wave your flag proudly
That’s a load of sh*t, most people are more than happy with them being there.
The woke council are worried about them upsetting people as they come off the boat, they need to remember the May elections are coming
That’s a load of sh*t, most people are more than happy with them being there.
The woke council are worried about them upsetting people as they come off the boat, they need to remember the May elections are coming.
I think they are fantastic.
Do not believe they are a distraction at all.
I agree
This is just an absolute hypocritical council decision because they don’t want them up , how many complaints 2/3 ??? They are no more dangerous than the Xmas and carnival lights that are put up every year and all the billboards … Another lefty woke councillor making irrational decisions instead of spending their time and energy and our money on real problems that need fixing
Your all wine leftwards wake up to what the government have in hand for the future instead of complaining about patriotic pifly the national flag
Health & safety my backside
Trees can be a distraction, perhaps the Council will cut THEM all down too….. oh, I forgot, they already did that on our roundabout……
Bet mr love Wouldn’t remove gay pride flags tho.
that man is far from English and definitely not an east cowes man!
i grew up in that town and I’m sure 90% of the people still there love seeing them flags fly everyday.
What a load of baloney.
I wanted to use much stronger language.
If it was Palestinian or Ukraine they’d be flying high .
I hope when they are taken down someone else puts them up.
Deeply patriotic, no way . Your a sad sorry excuse for an English man .
What about all the Christmas lights on houses that blind going round bends noone asks them to take them down.
If London can fly flags along walkways then it’s a disgrace this council finds such pathetic weak excuses to not fly them here.
This country is heading for anarchy
This was the right decision. We all know that the Union Flag and the Red Cross of St George and England have in recent months been almost hijacked by the Reform Party and its propagandists, which is the reason why the flags are now multiplying in the streets. But it’s nothing as simple and straightforward as “patriotism” — it’s political propaganda spread especially by those who think that motor-mouth (MAGA-mouth) Farage will make a difference to the standard of their lives. That’s of course open to debate — but flag-flying is deceptive when a single political movement hijacks the flags that belong to everyone — that belong also to those who don’t adhere to their own narrow creed.
You do realise that you are spouting the very cobblers the lefty, woke brigade have been bombarding the mainstream media with, over the last few years.
And if you believe this and previous useless governments, cares one jot for Britain, the Union Jack, and you. You are sadly deluded, open your eyes, look and tell me everything is rosey and the country is not on its knees, one blow away from KO
next the councils will be saying we will need planning permission to put flags out on our own buildings … FFS council wake up before people start to make a stand for our flags both Union and St Georges.
Absolutely pathetic..!!…..I don’t think you should be voted in any more ,,,Is this the most important thing on your agenda ? Surly there are more important things to sort out ….and waste tax payers money on …
When the royals are around eg jubilees etc, they like people to
line the streets and wave flags.
When it suits them it is fine, bit like wearing masks.
During the Plandemic they forced people to wear masks
if not some shops would not allow entry, but when
peaceful protests are taking place they don’t want people
wearing masks.
All about control, so sad. 2 world wars for freedom, all those
poor lives lost, what for, no democracy in our own country
anymore.
Very sad.
Gutless pathetic idiots. Safety grounds is a joke. If that distracts people, they shouldn’t be driving. This country and county is run by a load of wet simps. We have no leaders, hang your heads in shame for destroying British values.
The three flag poles by Yarmouth green have been proudly flying the Union Jack, St George Cross and the IoW logo for years without comment.
They are positioned about a metre from the roadside so similar in position to lamposts.
Are these now going to be classed as divisive and a danger to motorists?
Personally I smile as I pass them as it is a nice patriotic gesture to the UK and the IoW
They look amazing! Great to see! How on earth are they a distraction?
Guess there won’t be any christmas lights this year or any other flags being flown again?
I understand the council is banning all the Island sailing clubs from using flags to identify themselves and start races as this will distract sailors and cause danger at sea. Also, the firing of guns and sounding of horns is prohibited as it frightens seagulls. We are lucky to have such a thoughtful and caring council!
We are becoming ridiculous this Country is becoming more ridiculous by the day !!!
Joke of a council. Anti white and anti British is what they are. Time for us all to stand up against these tyrants.
Well said Sir, I couldn’t agree more.
If it’s a safety issue, I trust the authorities will be even-handed and order the removal of all hoardings, posters, lights, shop window and car lot displays and other potentially distracting ‘ street furniture’ from the roadside? Otherwise we must draw the conclusion that the removal is a political rather than a safety issue. What the councillor needs to also explain is how a country’s national flag can ever be seen as ‘ divisive’ – and by whom?
Why did he mention it’s a distraction? He should have simply said they have been put up on lampposts, take them down (and put them on flagpoles).
They will go straight back up! It’s the left wing that causes the division!
How many buses have crashed since flags were raised with pride
To see the flags made a bright change to a normally bleak boring road i love the flags they are nice and bright well done
Cllr Love – PATHETIC!! Shame on you
This is disgustingly I want the name of the councilor who made this decision as they are a traitor to our island and our country and are not welcome here
F*****G Lefties.Get Reform in to sort this mess out.Taking flags down coz they cause a distraction,May’s well not bother putting up Xmas lights that go across the road as they might be a distraction as well.
Council are a F*****G Joke,waste a space the lot of them
It is the flag of Grate Britain any body ordering them to be removed should be considered to be a trater
Don’t ever vote these traitors in again learn from this experience
I had to comment, as I completely agree with what’s bring said. I am shocked by the disregard for our, once proud flag.
The millions of our armed forces who have given their lives defending it and our once great country, I’m sure would wonder how this could occur.
Other comments about different flags being ok, is sadly true. So whats wrong with ours?
Its heartbreaking watch our country fall apart due to mismanagement by consecutive self serving governments, and our right to privacy, freedom of speech, and all the ‘ benefits’ of living in a democracy have all but vanished.
And that 2D cutout starmer had the nerve to call Farage un British!!
Having a Sir as the labour party leader should have been a massive flag to the sheepole.
Viva la revolution
I have been reliable informed a lot of flags were taken down last night, by I assume Island Roads. Another waste of the ludicrously high council tax we have to suffer. As our vapid council try to appear to do the things to appease the vocal left, woke brigade.
Disgusting.
Tho we will all be considered right wing and not worthy of a voice.
As starmer allegedly said ” I have 15% approval ratings. Thats means 85% are far right” Thats their logic..
We are doomed