Wigan Council is aware that flags have been placed on streetlighting columns and other public assets in different parts of the borough. We understand that residents hold a range of views about these displays, and that feelings can be strong both for and against their presence.
Our approach is guided by safety, proportionality, and the need to support community cohesion.
Our policy
Attaching items to highway infrastructure without permission is not allowed under the Highways Act 1980. However, the Council does not remove every unauthorised flag. We remove flags only where there is a clear safety risk.
Appearance alone, including whether a flag is faded or untidy, does not meet the threshold for removal. However, deterioration may indicate a developing safety issue, and officers will inspect any flag reported to us where there are concerns about its stability.
Monitoring and safety checks
We carry out additional inspections following severe weather. We will remove any flag that is no longer securely attached or where its condition presents a foreseeable risk to road users or pedestrians.
Where the issue involves an unauthorised structure such as a flagpole on Council-owned land, we may need to act more quickly. If a structure poses a hazard, we have a legal duty to remove it to prevent foreseeable harm.
Community considerations
We recognise the wider sensitivities around this issue.
Taking unnecessary or disproportionate action can inflame tensions, while inaction can also cause concern among residents. Our approach aims to balance these pressures by focusing on safety and acting consistently and fairly.
Reporting a concern
If you believe a flag or its fixings are unsafe, please report it to us using our flag concern contact form and provide the exact location. Our officers will assess the site and take appropriate action.