Overview

• Trafford Council says red crosses on three roundabouts will be cleaned off because centers must remain solid white with skid‑resistant paint, and police inquiries are under way.
• Birmingham reiterates that items on lamp columns are removed for safety and street‑lighting upgrades, noting roughly 200 banners and flags were taken down earlier this year.
• Reform UK says its 12 councils will keep patriotic displays, with Worcestershire’s highways lead stating there are no specific plans to remove lamppost flags despite safety warnings about attachments.
• Sandwell says it will not take down flags unless they obstruct visibility on signs or signals, while Plymouth warns unauthorised flags or markings on the highway will be removed under the Highways Act.
• Grassroots drives such as Operation Raise the Colours continue installing flags and raising funds in places like Wythall, as some roundabout crosses in Birmingham draw counter‑messages and calls from anti‑racist groups for removal.