Removal of flags in Exeter road cost £6k - council

Removing union jack and St George's flags along a busy road cost an estimated £6,000, a Freedom of Information (FoI) request has revealed.

Devon County Council responded to the FoI which asked how much was spent on work carried out to take down the flags from lampposts on Bridge Road in Exeter on 14 December.

The operation was eventually halted due to safety concerns after people started putting the flags back up while workmen were removing them.

Council bosses said that, under the Highways Act 1980, the authority could take action to recover the operation's cost from people responsible for erecting the flags without authorisation and "ensures the cost to the public is zero".

Thousands of union jack or St George's flags have appeared on lampposts and other structures since July across the country.

Some have said the flags inspire pride and patriotism, but others said they feel the flags were provocative and intimidating.

The council's response said the estimated cost included lane closures and the use of mechanical lifting equipment, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Last month, county council leader Julian Brazil said the removal of the flags was linked to safety and because they were attached without permission.

He said that people putting up flags in such locations was forcing the council to divert resources to dealing with them that could be used for other means.

"I've always said I absolutely support those who want to show their patriotism, and, if that's putting up a flag on your own property, that's fine," Brazil said.

"But if it's not your property, clearly you need to ask permission first, and these flags were placed without permission."

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].