West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire councils reminded residents that attaching anything to lamp posts without highways authority permission is an offence and warned against tying flags to street furniture or road signs. St George's and Union Jack flags have increasingly appeared along streets in England. A Birmingham campaign group said the flags should spread "joy", while some people described the displays as intimidating. Council leaders encouraged residents to express national pride but warned of risks including distracted motorists, blocked sightlines, ladder and lamp-post weight hazards, and possible electrocution, and said unsafe flags may be removed.
Mark Arnull, leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said he "fully" encouraged people to "proudly fly flags" on their own home and property. "But I would urge them not to attempt anything dangerous like putting them up on street furniture or road signs," he said. "Not only does this put their own safety at great risk, but also that of motorists if the flags distract them or block their view."
Martin Griffiths, leader of North Northamptonshire Council, said: "It's wonderful to see residents having such a sense of national pride and wishing to express this by flying flags, particularly with the Women's Rugby World Cup coming to our county. "However we need to be pragmatic and where flags of any description create a safety issue we may need to take them down in the best interests of our residents."
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