18/09/2025 - Council Statement on flags on lampposts

We understand that people may wish to display flags and other items in public, however, for safety and legal reasons, it is not permitted to attach any flags or objects to lampposts or other public street furniture in Luton.

This is in line with the Highways Act 1980 and applies equally to all flags and items, regardless of their design or message. It’s the approach we’ve always taken when items are put up on our highway. When we receive reports of unauthorised fixings, we are required to remove them. Each removal comes at a cost to the council, which ultimately falls on local taxpayers.

Attaching items to lampposts can create risks. Climbing or using makeshift fixings can cause injury. For these reasons, national regulations and our own policies do not allow it. 

We also ask that our staff and contractors are treated with respect while carrying out this work. They are simply doing their job. The position of Luton Council is clear on this: abuse, harassment or photographing staff for the purposes of targeting them on social media is unacceptable, will not be tolerated and will be reported to the police.