No ban on roadside memorials, says council

A council said "nothing has changed" in regards to its stance on roadside memorials and plaques, adding that claims it would ban them were a "misrepresentation".

The executive at North Northamptonshire Council approved an update to its highways network management plan last month, with memorials described as "a distraction for motorists".

Clarifying the Reform UK-controlled authority's position, Chris McGiffen, the executive councillor for highways, said: "Nothing will stop anyone putting up a temporary memorial.

"We are not about to unpick roadside memorials, unless they become unsafe in themselves or a hazard."

He added: "Even then, we would contact the individuals who put it there in the first place in order to make sure it was fair, reasonable and safe process for removing, amending or correcting it. We don't lack compassion.

"We have no desire to remove [memorials] in any way."

The updated network management plan offers guidance around co-ordinating work and activities so there is less traffic disruption, better management of congestion, stronger enforcement over obstructions, and clarity on planning for electric vehicle charging, the council said.

It replaced the old Northamptonshire County Council version, which was adopted in 2021.

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