Our reporter submitted a Freedom of Information (FoI) request to the council asking how many Union Jacks and St George’s Cross flags have been removed in the borough since July 2025.
We also asked what structures or buildings they were removed from, on what date and what street.
The response revealed that a total of 67 flags have been taken down by the council in this time.
Each of the flags were removed from council-owned “highway lighting assets”.
The list of roads that the lighting assets are situated in reads: Andrews Gardens, Great Eastern Road, Dunock Road, Malmesbury Road, Percy Road, Avondale Road, Caspain Walk, King George Avenue, Sullivan Avenue, Macgregor Road, Tollgate Road, Maybury Road, East Ham Manor Way, Ferndale Street, Savage Gardens, Woolwich Manor Way and Royal Albert Way.
Flags were removed from East Ham Manor Way, Ferndale Street, Savage Gardens, Woolwich Manor Way and Royal Albert Way on September 1.
On September 16 flags in Sullivan Avenue, Macgregor Road, Tollgate Road and Maybury Road were removed.
Flags were also taken down from lights in Andrews Gardens, Great Eastern Road, Dunock Road, Malmesbury Road, Percy Road, Avondale Road, Caspain Walk and King George Avenue on October 3.
Addressing the reason behind the flag removals, the FoI response noted ‘The Highways Act 1980 Section 178, and Institute of Lighting Professionals guidance note 22/19’.
A council spokesperson said: “This summer, Newham Council identified a small number of national flags being displayed from lamp posts within the borough.
“We removed these in line with laws laid out in the Highways Act 1980, and to remain consistent in our approach to the unauthorised display of flags and other signage on our street furniture.
“Recognising the importance of our national flag, the council proudly flies the Union Flag above our key council buildings.”
