Christmas lights to sparkle across Salford as council confirms flags will remain in place

Festive preparations are under way in Salford, with Christmas lights being installed across the city, and flags staying put unless deemed unsafe or illegal.

Salford City Council has confirmed that work is now under way to roll out Christmas lights in communities across the borough, with installations taking place from early November through to the start of December.

Decorations will include lighting on trees, street columns and roundabouts, but notably, the flags currently displayed across Salford will not be removed as part of the works.

In a public clarification aimed at addressing recent speculation, the council said it would only take down flags if they posed a safety risk or were involved in an offence such as criminal damage.

A council spokesperson said:

“As we start our preparations for the Christmas season, the council wants to reiterate that it will not be removing flags that have been displayed across Salford, except in cases where they present a safety risk or constitute an offence.”

“We would also like to remind people that anyone carrying out this festive work should not be subject to any threatening or intimidating behaviour and appeal to people in Salford to treat each other with respect.”

The announcement comes amid growing local interest in public displays of flags, particularly the Union Flag and the St George’s Flag, both of which the council says are “legitimate symbols of our shared national heritage”.

The Union Flag continues to fly permanently outside Salford’s Civic Centre, and the council expressed support for residents wishing to fly flags responsibly to show their civic and national pride.

The planned lighting installation schedule is as follows:

• Week commencing 3 November – Roe Green and Moorside
• Week commencing 10 November – Barton, Winton Parrin Lane, and Westwood Park Parrin Lane
• Week commencing 17 November – Ellenbrook, Worsley, Monton, and Brookhouse
• Week commencing 24 November – Eccles Church Street, Eccles pedestrian area, Irlam and Cadishead
• Week commencing 1 December – Little Hulton and Walkden, Civic Centre and Swinton

All locations were reviewed for potential hazards before installation began, according to the council.