A national debate has taken place this year over whether local authorities should remove flags that have appeared in public places.

St George’s flags and Union flags have been hung on bridges and lampposts, as well as other locations, during 2025.

Some local authorities, including City of York Council, have said they won’t remove them. Others, such as North Yorkshire Council, have adopted a more proactive approach.

In August, the Stray Ferret reported on flags being removed in Knaresborough. Three months later the council said it would charge a £38 removal fee to a man from Thirsk who was responsible for about 120 flags it had removed.

Councillor Malcolm Taylor, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways, said people could fly and paint flags on their own private property but doing so on public property was “not only illegal but also poses a safety risk to both pedestrians and motorists”.

Cllr Taylor added:

“Any flags painted on roundabouts or road markings will be removed as soon as resources allow. Flags affixed to street furniture, such as lampposts, will also be taken down.”

Locations revealed

The Stray Ferret submitted a freedom of information request to the council asking how much it had spent removing flags or painted flags in each of the last three years.

Its reply, sent on December 18, said total costs for 2025 were £6,824.70. The figures for 2023 and 2024 were both zero.

The council added the sum spent specifically on flag removals in the Harrogate district was £79.98.

We also asked which locations in the Harrogate district had the most flags removed. It said flags were removed at the following locations.

• Eastfield, Knaresborough

• Tennyson Avenue, Harrogate

• Nidderdale Drive, Knaresborough

• Ripon Road, Harrogate

• Chain Lane, Knaresborough

• Wetherby Road, Harrogate

• Bowland Court, Harrogate

• Palace Road, Ripon

• Dishforth village (road from roundabout)