- Derbyshire County Council has claimed the makeover could ‘distract drivers’
Councillors have been slammed as killjoys for criticising patriotic England fans who have painted the St George’s Cross on a roundabout.
Despite the growing Euro fever across the country, Derbyshire County Council urged people not to give other roundabouts a similar makeover as it could distract drivers.
But Nicola Hunt, who lives near the mini roundabout in Park Road, Ilkeston, said: ‘I just think it’s fun, there isn’t much of it going around at the minute is there?’
Another resident, Holly Horseley, said: ‘I think it’s OK. People are happy with England winning, long may it continue.’
The flag appeared after England’s opening 1-0 victory over Serbia on Sunday.
As Euro fever grows, Derbyshire County Council urged people not to do the same with red and white paint on other roundabouts as it could distract drivers
The flag appeared after England’s opening 1-0 victory over Serbia on Sunday
Jean Buckley, who lives around the corner from the roundabout, said: ‘I like to support England, it’s harmless fun.
‘I don’t mind it being like that while the football is on, it doesn’t bother me.’
A council spokesperson said: ‘We’re all wishing the best to the England men’s team in the Euros, but hope people will understand displays such as this can cause a distraction to motorists so would ask residents not to do it.
‘We are expecting it to naturally wear off and have no plans to go out and paint over it as there would obviously be a cost involved and roads around it would have to be closed.’
Meanwhile in West Sussex, where similar St George’s paintings have been daubed on roundabouts in Shoreham and Southwick, the county council said: ‘We know many people want to show support for their football teams but would warn against painting on the live carriageway.
‘It is unsafe to do so, could cause a distraction for other road users and will result in public funds being used to reinstate the roundabouts.’
But people in the town seemed to be enjoying their new roundabout markings, sharing pictures on social media and calling them ‘brilliant’.
Steve Rose, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said: ‘It’s cool, it put a smile on my face and it wasn’t there at midnight’, according to The Argus.
Amanda Taylor, who also lives nearby, said: ‘Love it. Neat job too.’
Marie Abdul-Rahim said: ‘Love this, something that’s not doom and gloom.’
The practice of painting England flags at roundabouts has been done for a number of years, with multiple reports at the 2018 World Cup.
The Three Lions are in action once again on Tuesday at 8pm when they will play Slovenia. They have already beat Serbia 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Denmark in their group.
