“England’s most patriotic street” is laying down the battle-lines for war with its local Green council.
Torrington Avenue in Bristol has warned the city’s council to expect a “battle” over attempts to remove locals’ St George’s flags during the World Cup.
The street on the Knowle West council estate has been decorated with flags for football tournaments over several decades.
But Bristol City Council has scolded residents for hanging flags from lampposts, railings and other public property, over “health and safety concerns”.
Officials have even told locals to report any flags proudly flying to public property – sparking a row which drew the scorn of Labour heavyweight Wes Streeting.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “If they want a battle, they have got the whole street to deal with. If they want to create a war, it will happen.”
The Highways Act 1980 makes it an offence to attach items to highway structures without permission from the authority or a reasonable excuse.
Under section 132(2) of the Act, the highway authority has the power to remove such items.
The council said it would focus first on removing flags in “sensitive locations” and would assess its approach to flags on council property.
Tony Dyer, its Green leader, said: “By celebrating responsibly and being mindful of others, we can ensure that Bristol remains welcoming, respectful and safe for everyone during the tournament.”
Residents pressed ahead to hoist the flag this week, stringing them across the 300-metre road using rope and ladders.
Lisa, 43, was attaching flag strings to hooks on houses this week, continuing a tradition her father began before his death a few years ago.
She said: “It’s just about community and getting behind our team and pulling everyone together.”
“It’s football – it’s a passion and a drive. We’re all Bristol City fans and England fans. It’s beautiful in the evening. I can’t imagine they will come and take them down; it’s just for four weeks of the tournament.”
Lisa told The Times the flags were “only football related” and that residents came from “all different nationalities and they are fantastic”.
She added: “They are welcome to have their own flags and those that don’t want flags from their house, that’s fine.”
But Riley Han, 31, was more firm.
“This is England, this is our country, and we are entitled to have flags to support our team,” he said. “It’s a joke. This has been going on for generations.”
While 32-year-old Warren added: “All we want to do is protect our family and put our flag up. They don’t complain about it in America. My next-door neighbour is Polish and he is more than welcome to put his flag up.”
Linda Pickford, 65, had joined those hanging bunting from her house to a public lamppost.
She said: “You can’t have Torrington without flags It brings the community together. They can’t fine everyone for having flags up. The council is getting so pathetic.”
