England’s most patriotic street has defied a Green-run council that told them not to put up St George’s flags for the World Cup.
The residents of Torrington Avenue in Bristol have long been known for festooning their road with the flag during international football tournaments.
However, that tradition seemed to be in doubt this year when the Green-controlled council said residents would not be allowed to “fly flags on lampposts or railings or any public property” for “health and safety” reasons.
Tony Dyer, the council’s leader, warned that flags raised for the World Cup would be taken down and a spokesman for the authority said the flags were not “welcoming”.
Those living on Torrington Avenue in the city’s Knowle West council estate did not put up the flags before England’s 4-2 win in their opening game against Croatia last week.
But the street has now been draped in St George’s Crosses as Thomas Tuchel’s men prepare to play Ghana on Tuesday, with ropes hanging over the road from house to house, adorned with flags for its entire 300m length.
Riley Han, a 31-year-old resident, told The Times: “This is England, this is our country, and we are entitled to have flags to support our team. It’s a joke. This has been going on for generations.”
Another resident, Linda Pickford, 65, added: “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.”
However, George Ferguson, a former mayor of Bristol, said the flags were “chilling”.
“It’s not true patriotism but a deliberate intimidation of minorities,” he said. “Our national flag has, under the guise of supporting England, been captured by those seeking to spread fear.”
The council has not said whether it will take down the flags.
Taking down flags in ‘sensitive locations’
Earlier this month, Mr Dyer urged residents to report anyone who flew the flag from public property on FixMyStreet, a website through which the council is alerted to local problems.
“If you want to display your team’s flag, please put it up in your own home,” he said. “What people cannot do is fly flags on lampposts or railings or any public property.
“Please do not attach anything to lampposts – it causes health and safety issues. If people see flags on public property, they can report them through FixMyStreet. We are currently taking down flags in sensitive locations as a priority and will be reviewing our strategy for removing other flags on our property.”
A spokesman for the council added: “If you want to support your team by flying a flag, please put it up at home, not on lampposts or other public property.
“By celebrating responsibly and being mindful of others, we can ensure that Bristol remains welcoming, respectful and safe for everyone during the tournament.”
Bristol city council was approached for comment.
