Work is taking place to remove St George’s crosses that have been painted onto speed bumps and road markings in Reading.
Efforts are underway to erase St George's crosses that were spray-painted on speed bumps and road markings across Reading.
During the August bank holiday, these crosses, a symbol of England, appeared in Whitley, Northumberland, Brixham Road, and Callington Road.
On Tuesday, September 2, a member of the Reading Commercial Services team was seen cleaning red spray paint off a speed bump on Brixham Road. They shared that the team has been using a natural cleansing agent from Australia to tackle graffiti.
Previously, the council used thermal lancing, a method that vaporises existing line markings with high-temperature air. While the cleaning was in progress, drivers were still able to pass.
The removal of the painted crosses is driven by concerns they could distract drivers. A council spokesperson stated, "We appreciate people may want to show their patriotism, but we cannot condone this action which presents a safety risk to the public." They confirmed that the council would repaint the affected areas.
A house in Callington Road was spotted with a Union flagpole. Displaying the Union flag and other patron saints’ flags can be done without planning permission on private land.
This spray-painting initiative is part of 'Operation Raise the Colours,' which encourages patriotic displays nationwide. However, critics argue it alienates some minority communities, noting the support from groups like Britain First and Turning Point UK.
In a troubling incident, the painting of St George's crosses on a clothing donation bank for the Al-Majid Centre mosque on August 25 is now regarded as a hate crime. Additionally, the council mistakenly removed street art honouring computer science pioneer Ada Lovelace during the cleanup in Northumberland Avenue, for which they have apologised.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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