Work is taking place to remove St George’s crosses that have been painted onto speed bumps and road markings in Reading.
Over the August bank holiday weekend, St George’s crosses were spray-painted on road markings, speed bumps and road signs in Whitley.
The crosses of St George, the symbol of England, have been seen in Northumberland, Brixham Road and Callington Road.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service spotted a Reading Commercial Services team member removing red spray paint from a speed bump in Brixham Road at around 1.30pm yesterday (Tuesday, September 2).
The staff member explained that the team has been using a natural cleansing agent from Australia to remove graffiti in recent years.
Reading Commercial Services, run by Reading Borough Council, previously used thermal lancing, which involves using high-temperature compressed air to vaporise existing line markings.
Drivers were able to pass while the cleansing took place.
The removal of the painted crosses has been justified over concerns the crosses could distract road users.
A spokesperson said: “The council is aware of several road signs and other highways assets being painted.
“We appreciate people may want to show their patriotism, but we cannot condone this action which presents a safety risk to the public.
“The council will be removing the paint and repainting these assets.”
A house in Callington Road was seen with a Union flagpole.
Flying the Union flag, the St George’s cross and those of other patron saints, those of counties can be flown without planning permission on privately owned land.
The spray painting of road signs and flying of St George’s cross and Union flags has taken place as part of ‘Operation Raise the Colours’.
Activists throughout the country have been encouraged to hoist the flags and paint road markings in what has been described as “an outpouring of patriotism”.
However, opponents of the operation claim it has made some people from minority ethnic backgrounds, and have pointed out enthusiastic support for the campaign from organisations such as Britain First and Turning Point UK.
The painting of St George’s crosses on a clothing donation bank for the Al-Majid Centre mosque on Monday, August 25 is being treated as a hate crime.
The removal of crosses painted on a utility cabinet in nearby Northumberland Avenue unfortunately led to the removal of street art honouring computer science pioneer Ada Lovelace 1815-1952.
The council has apologised for the erroneous removal of the art.
