Northern Ireland

'Union flag' road markings repainted by roads officials

Painted kerbstones and street furniture in Parkmount Street, north Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann
Painted kerbstones and street furniture in Parkmount Street, north Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann Painted kerbstones and street furniture in Parkmount Street, north Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann

ROAD markings in north Belfast have been repainted white after loyalists changed them to red, white and blue ahead of the Twelfth.

Hardline loyalists in Tigers Bay had taken marking out turf to whole new level by painting white road lines in the colours of the Union flag.

Road markings in Parkmount Street including the junction and central white lines were changed earlier this month.

The move came as a UDA faction continues to swamp the interface area in flags ahead of the Twelfth of July.

However, roads officials - who branded the move "irresponsible" have since returned the street markings to their original colour – after seeking the support of "community representatives".

Transport NI, which has responsibility for roads, last night said community representatives were "fully supportive" of the works.

"Once this issue was brought to the attention of Transport NI the site was inspected and it was noted that some attempt had been made to reinstate lines with white paint," a spokesman said.

"However, through liaison with community representatives, who were fully supportive of the swift action taken by the department, Transport NI arranged to have the road markings removed and reinstated using reflective thermoplastic paint in accordance with the required standards. This work was completed on Friday."

Transport NI last week said it was "irresponsible", an offence and an "unnecessary burden on the public purse" to deface road markings.

Other street furniture including 'stop' sign poles were painted in the colours of the Union flag.

Kerbstones close to the flashpoint with North Queen Street were also given a fresh coat of paint.

A flags protocol in the area was abandoned after a change in leadership following infighting between UDA factions.

A more hardline leadership, lead by a number of prominent flag protesters and criminals previously expelled from the UDA, has resulted in a breakdown in cross-community relations and flags being erected at the interface close to the nationalist New Lodge.

Murals that had been re-imaged as part of a community scheme were also removed by the new UDA faction and replaced with union flags.

Residents in Glengormley have also complained that the area has been saturated with flags in recent weeks.

One resident said he contacted police who told him there was nothing they could do about flags along the Antrim line and on the mainly nationalist Hightown Road.

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said the PSNI would continue to work with communities and respond "where there is a concern for public safety or where it is believed a criminal offence has occurred".

"However, the removal of flags is not the responsibility of the PSNI and police can only act to remove flags where there are substantial risks to public safety," he said.