Courthouse flagpoles at York reprieved (From York Press)

Courthouse flagpoles at York reprieved

10:12am Saturday 13th March 2010 in Letters

FLAGPOLES that have allowed the Union Flag to fly over one of York’s historic buildings for decades have been reprieved after being threatened with removal over safety fears.

The two poles on top of York Crown Court were to be taken down because they need to be regularly inspected and repaired, which the court service says is a “hazardous” operation.

At the same time, because of their awkward position, flags are no longer flown from the roof, and thus the need for continuing maintenance is a waste of public money, it says.

However, an application to remove the poles has been withdrawn after City of York Council said that the Grade I-listed court building’s role as a civic centrepiece would be harmed if it was not able to fly the national flag.

The court service originally said: “The two poles are reportedly very difficult to access safely, and it is recommended that court staff refrain from the task of raising and lowering flags as it is classed as too dangerous.

“It is recommended that the flagpoles be carefully removed from the building and placed into storage.”

But the council’s environment and conservation department says: “This building serves an important civic function, and although it is no longer mandatory to ‘fly the flag’, losing the ability to do so would appear to undermine the civic character of the building.”