Overview

• Fresh installations and repainting were reported on Tuesday across multiple towns, including roundabouts and crossings in Colchester, road signs in Reading, street markings and bridges in Bristol, and double mini roundabouts in Abingdon.
• Brighton contractors paused removals after verbal abuse and said they would only continue with police present, while Sussex Police stated they lack resources to support the work until next week.
• Wiltshire Council called the road and sign painting vandalism and a safety risk, confirmed lamppost flags will be taken down, and warned that repairs and paint removal will be funded by the public purse.
• Walsall’s council leader warned that painting live roundabouts endangers both the painters and motorists, and several councils reiterated that flags on highway land require permission from the relevant authority.
• Police responses remain contested in some areas, with witnesses in Blackley claiming officers intervened and deployed Tasers as Greater Manchester Police said they have no record of related incidents, while political voices ranged from Downing Street backing flag-flying to anti-racism groups alleging far-right coordination.