Essex County Council paints poppies on roads for Remembrance

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 13:25 · Archive

Essex County Council has painted poppy emblems at 12 road locations across the county for Remembrance Sunday.

Essex County Council has painted poppy emblems at 12 locations across the county ahead of Remembrance Sunday, which takes place this Sunday. Where possible the poppies have been placed near war memorials. The initiative is being deployed alongside efforts to tidy and maintain war memorials across the county.

Some residents have criticised the decision on social media. One person, describing themselves as ex-forces, said: 'What's the point of Essex Council painting poppies on the road for people to drive over? I'm ex-forces and it is embarrassing and a distraction for drivers. We should be sorting out the awful state of the roads, not wasting money on this.' Others argued the poppies should be placed on pavements or lampposts rather than in roads where vehicles will drive over them.

However there have also been positive comments. One resident said: 'People are so negative. Placement doesn't matter. In fact, the symbolism of poppies is that they were the flower to grow through the rubble and battlefield. This is beautiful.' A council spokesman said the areas are focal points of communities for Remembrance Sunday and that 'when you put the decals down they come into their own in terms of the recognition of the importance of the events'. Ringway Jacobs carried out the work on behalf of Essex County Council.

How it is being reported

• Poppies painted on Essex roads criticised for being ‘disrespectful’Residents have been questioning Essex County Council’s decision to paint poppies on roads, with some believing it is disrespectfulEcho (Basildon) · 5 Nov, 12:30
• Poppies painted on Essex roads criticised for being 'disrespectful'There have also been positive comments about the worksEssexLive · 5 Nov, 12:00

In this story: Essex County Council · Ringway Jacobs · Essex

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