Calls to turn England flag graffiti into a Guernsey flag

Thursday 12 July 2018

With the majority of people seeing it as a bit of harmless fun, some are now asking if the England flag painted on the roundabout at the top of Les Val des Terres could become a permanent feature.

It appeared sometime overnight between Tuesday 10 July and 06:00 Wednesday 11 July.

It's believed it was painted on to the junction at the end of Fort Road to support the England football team ahead of the country's World Cup semi final match against Croatia which ended 2-1 to Croatia after extra time, meaning the "years of hurt" still aren't over for the Three Lions who haven't won an international tournament since 1966.

After the flag had been discovered by passing motorists and pedestrians, most appreciated it as a joke, in keeping with the overwhelming support for the England football team across the island. The States of Guernsey gave it a light hearted reaction and said it could stay in place until the end of the tournament.

Traffic and Highways Services also said initially, that "in the spirit of hoping that England go all the way, we won’t be painting over it until the tournament is ended."

A spokesman said they would ask the public not to paint over road markings in this manner however, "as there is a cost in us putting the markings back to normal, but more fundamentally, we recognise the danger that people place themselves in, whilst carrying out such acts in the road."

The good natured response to the graffiti has in turn been met with a number of requests for the paint work to be altered so it shows a Guernsey flag instead with a gold cross in the middle of the St George's cross.

Pictured: Just some of the requests being made on social media, asking for the England flag painted at the top of Les Val de Terres to be turned into a Guernsey flag and kept as a permanent feature

However, the States of Guernsey have now confirmed that the roundabout cannot be kept as an England flag or repainted to resemble a Guernsey flag as it would breach the Highway Code.

A new statement from Traffic and Highway Services; issued this lunchtime, said:

"While we appreciate the merits of the idea, unfortunately it is not possible.

"Painted mini-roundabouts can only be painted white and as the Service is responsible for the safety of road users, we are obliged to ensure they are as easily-understood as possible for all drivers, as explained in the Highway Code."

So the roundabout will be painted plain white again once the World Cup has been won. France will take on Croatia in the final on Sunday afternoon, with England playing Belgium in the third place playoff on Saturday, with the white paint being prepared to restore the mini roundabout next week.