Northern Ireland

Union flags on Belfast's Lisburn Road leads to call for regulation

Union and Ulster Flags have been put up on the Lisburn Road in Belfast
Union and Ulster Flags have been put up on the Lisburn Road in Belfast Union and Ulster Flags have been put up on the Lisburn Road in Belfast

There have been calls for a “system of regulation” after Union and other flags were raised along a main thoroughfare in south Belfast.

Part of the traditional Twelfth route along a mixed part of the Lisburn Road has been decked in Union and Ulster flags in recent days.

In north Belfast similar flags have been put up on lampposts in the Ballysillan area.

The appearance of flags on flagpoles is traditionally linked to the Orange Order's July 12 celebration, which this year has been called off due to coronavirus.

Instead, the order is encouraging its members and supporters to to celebrate at home.

Despite the one-day event unionist flags are generally left to litter lampposts, often in shared spaces, for months on end.

The latest development comes amid rising sectarian tension across Belfast in recent weeks.

Earlier this month an anti-GAA banner was put up at Grove playing fields in north Belfast and members of two soccer clubs, some of whom were wearing GAA and Celtic tops were verbally abused.

There have also been claims that nationalist youths carried out a sectarian attack in north Belfast last weekend.

MP for south Belfast Claire Hanna said regulation is required.

"These flags go up with depressing regularity,” she said.

“While people have a right to put a legal flag outside their own house if they wish, only a tiny number do so in the neighbourhoods where these are being put up.

“The SDLP has long advocated a system of regulation so no divisive viewpoint or identity marker is allowed to dominate the public space for months at a time.

“We've seen so many positive examples of community expression and cohesion over the last few months, hopefully people can find ways to be more creative and inclusive about what they project in public spaces in the future.”

Attempts were made to contact several DUP representatives but no-one responded.