Bid to replace Border Saltires with Berwickshire and Union Jack flags

COUNCILLORS are to formally ask the Scottish Government to replace one of the Saltires at the A1 border crossing with a Union flag in a bid to boost local tourism.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jun 2016, 15:42 BST
Updated 13th Jun 2016, 12:01 BST

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Saltire flags flying at the border of Scotland and England on the A1. Picture: Craig StephenSaltire flags flying at the border of Scotland and England on the A1. Picture: Craig Stephen
Saltire flags flying at the border of Scotland and England on the A1. Picture: Craig Stephen

Local politicians in the south of Scotland also want a second Saltire hauled down and replaced with the flag of Berwickshire.

The campaigners say motorists heading north should be reminded they are still in the UK.

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And they say the local flag will encourage more visitors to stay in the area rather than moving straight on to Edinburgh and the Highlands.

An equivalent set of flags on the English side of the border. Picture: Stuart CobleyAn equivalent set of flags on the English side of the border. Picture: Stuart Cobley
An equivalent set of flags on the English side of the border. Picture: Stuart Cobley

At present, three Saltires fly at the Lamberton Crossing on the A1 which is used by around 23 million vehicles annually.

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The decision to challenge the flag arrangements was taken last week by the Berwickshire area forum, which is a group of local community councils.

The councillors point out that the English side of the border features a Union flag, St George’s Cross and the flag of Northumberland.

An equivalent set of flags on the English side of the border. Picture: Stuart CobleyAn equivalent set of flags on the English side of the border. Picture: Stuart Cobley
An equivalent set of flags on the English side of the border. Picture: Stuart Cobley

Councillor Michael Cook, area forum chairman, said they would now formally request that Transport Scotland remove two of the Saltires.

He said of the proposal: “There’s two main strands to it.”

“Firstly, people want to emphasise their local identity. To show that they’re proud to be from the Borders, proud to be Scottish and proud to be part of the UK.

“I’m proud of Berwickshire, I’m proud of the national flag and I’m also proud of the Union flag.”

“Secondly, we want to provide a more colourful counterpoint to the flags on the English side as at the moment we have three saltires and a sign with a big saltire on it.”

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He continued: “I believe there’s a real desire to see the Union Jack and the Berwickshire flag flown locally because there’s a feeling that most people head directly on to Edinburgh or the Highlands.

“There’s a lot of Scotland to see before you get there and it would help promote local dimensions. That’s the bedrock of it all I feel.

“It’s now up to Transport Scotland. It’ll take a bit of time and we’ll have to explore the options with them.

“One just hopes they can do it in a fair and reasonable time.”

If the plans get the go-ahead, a new Berwickshire flag will needed to researched and created by the chairman in conjunction with council officials.

Inspiration could come from the old Berwickshire County coat of arms, which was granted in 1890 or from the arms of the Berwickshire District Council, created in 1975.

Any new design will require the approval from the Lord Lyon, who have the power to prosecute anyone who uses unauthorised arms.

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Related topics:BerwickshireCouncillorsScottish GovernmentUnion JackUnion FlagEdinburgh