A red cross, painted in the style of the St George’s flag, has appeared on the mini roundabout outside Stratford Park Leisure Centre.
The marking is part of a wider trend that has been noticed across the country, where similar symbols have been painted onto road surfaces.
The appearance of the cross has sparked mixed reactions among residents. Some have expressed concern that the symbol risks being associated with far-right groups, questioning whether it represents exclusion rather than unity. One local resident commented: “It just feels like an excuse for xenophobia and is far from patriotic.”
Others, however, see the markings as a straightforward expression of national pride. Another resident said: “They’re not doing any harm, just flying in the wind, representing England.”
The discussion has also entered the political sphere. Earlier this week, the official spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer stated: “I think the PM has always talked about his pride of being British, the patriotism he feels. Patriotism will always be an important thing to him.”
As the debate continues, the red cross roundabout markings remain a visible reminder of the complex ways in which national symbols are interpreted within communities.
