Flag campaigns raise more than £16k

More than £16,000 has been raised to support campaigns to put up Union and cross of St George flags in and around Birmingham.

Flags have been hung in neighbourhoods across the city, including Weoley Castle and Northfield, as well as on major roads such as the A38.

Many were attached to lampposts and other highway infrastructure, which prompted the city council to issue a safety warning.

The authority said it was normal procedure for items attached to lampposts to be removed on a “regular basis”.

The flags have sparked a fierce debate in Birmingham, with those responsible describing it as a patriotic move to celebrate the country.

But it has sparked concern from others amid claims the move was politically motivated and seeking to stir up division within the city.

Three fundraising campaigns looking to put flags up in certain neighbourhoods had raised more than £16,000 between them as of Tuesday afternoon, August 19.

One, co-organised by a group called the Weoley Warriors, said it wanted to give “hope to local communities that all isn’t lost and they are not alone”.

Another for south Birmingham said: “We are doing this to bring back a good community spirit and pride in our local and surrounding communities.”

“This is NOT racist, never has been never will be,” a third fundraising page for nearby Wythall read. “We have members of the community of all ethnicities and religions stopping by and praising what we are doing.

“So please don’t call this racist – we are just patriotic and should be flying our beautiful flag.”

Labour-run Birmingham City Council issued a new statement this week, saying 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,” a spokesperson said.

“Brummies are proud to be British and proud 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.”

The council published a statement last week about its 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.

The organisers of the three fundraising campaigns have been contacted for comment.