It comes after of a national online movement called ‘Operation Raise the Colours’, which has seen flags put up on lampposts or spray painted on buildings across England, where many have since been removed.
Kent County Council says that it will allow people to express their views, as long as “common sense” is used when displaying the flags.
However, the council advises that people use safety first and not to scale lamp posts and tall structures to display the Union and St George’s flags.
It also says that flags that are hindering the work of Kent County Council and district and borough councils, like those blocking the view of CCTV cameras, will be removed as will anything affecting road signage and the safety of the public.
A roundabout painted as a St George’s flag (Image: Jacob King/PA) Cabinet member for highways and transport, Peter Osborne, said: “We very much recognise that people wish to express their views, but we must use common sense.
“Flags will have to be removed if they are in any way putting people’s safety at risk.”
The council also says that the flying of any flag is subject to some standard conditions and requires the permission of the owner of the site on which it is displayed.
This includes the Highway Authority if the flag is placed on highway land.
Any incidents of trespass, inappropriate or offensive behaviour or messaging will be reported to the relevant authorities.
Transport for London decided to remove the “unauthorised objects” of St George’s and Union flags hanging from the footbridge over the A2 in Bexley, due to safety concerns.
There have been rows over the motivation of flags being raised across England, as some argue it is just a sign of patriotism, while others fear its intention is to cause more of a divide amid anti-migrant and far-right protests.
A spokesperson for Sir Keir Starmer said he “absolutely” is in favour of people who put up English flags.
The government has also published a guide online saying that flags are “a very British way of expressing joy and pride” and that it wants to “see more flags flown, particularly the Union Flag.”
