“However, their placement in unauthorised locations and recent campaigns and behaviours linked to the unauthorised display of flags have caused genuine concern among many residents.”
‘A safety risk’
Wiltshire Council does not plan to put in place any kind of enforcement campaign and said it is dealing with incidents on a case-by-case basis.
“Our concern isn’t with the flags themselves, but with where they’re displayed,” David Bullock, the council’s director of highways, said.
“Flags, banners and bunting attached to lamp-posts, road signs, roundabouts or other highway infrastructure without permission can create safety risks for road users and pedestrians and may obstruct visibility.”
The local authority said it has “a responsibility to keep the highway safe, clear and accessible for everyone”.
Bath and North East Somerset Council said it has no plan to introduce measures against hanging unauthorised flags.