Reading react to spending 7k removing England flags
A total of £7,403.68 was spent clearing England and United Kingdom flags from lampposts and cleaning St George’s crosses painted on road markings, following last summer’s Operation Raise the Colours.
Members of the public shared their frustration on Facebook and and some questioned whether the markings needed to be removed at all.
One resident said: "Spend the money on fixing the pot holes."
Another suggested: "If you are a true patriot - can you do something for your country?
"Help at a lower league football game, get together with mates for a walk and clear up the Riverside (which could be so beautiful), help people in community who need it most, shop in local shops not amazon, support the local arts and music, go to your nearest pub, see if your elderly neighbour needs help with shopping, enjoy the wonderful countryside.
"This is what true patriotism is.
"Want Britain to be great - do something constructive.
"Putting a flag on a lamppost is just culture wars and doesn't solve/serve anything."
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A third commenter questioned the respect intended: "Driving your dirty car tyres over the flag… yes that is very respectful to the flag."
Others supported the displays, with one person saying: "This is England, get them flags up."
Another wrote: "They'll be soon be back and twice as many as the World Cup is nearly here."
Some reflected on the symbolic meaning: "I saw a flag this morning in Bracknell all tattered and torn, it occurred to me this is actually a good representation of England right now… it is tattered, it is a mess and it is really really sad."
Previously, councillors around Reading voiced their opinions.
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Councillor James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) said: "Lib Dems are proud of our flag and what it stands for – decency, tolerance, and respect for one another.
"We have no issue with people expressing pride in their country.
"However, we do think it is a shame that Reading residents have had to pay over £7,000 to clear up unauthorised graffiti on public roads.
"That is money that could have been spent on local services, and we would encourage anyone who wants to celebrate their community to do so in a way that does not place an unnecessary burden on local taxpayers."
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed the total spend.
Much of the activism took place in the Church ward of Whitley, with crosses on road markings being spotted in Brixham Road, Callington Road and Northumberland Avenue.
