Essex council criticised over road poppies ahead of Remembrance Day

The council says the colourful tributes honour fallen heroes, but some residents – including an ex-service member – say drivers should not be passing over the iconic symbols.

A council has sparked a furious row after painting giant poppies on busy roads, with critics accusing officials of being disrespectful and wasting taxpayers' money.

A poppy painted on the road outside the civic offices along Duke Street in Chelmsford has sparked a backlash from locals. | William Lailey / SWNS

placeholder image — A poppy painted on the road outside the civic offices along Duke Street in Chelmsford has sparked a backlash from locals. | William Lailey / SWNS

Essex County Council has installed 12 commemorative poppy emblems across the county ahead of Remembrance Day, saying they are designed to honour those who died serving the nation. The striking red displays have appeared in locations including Chelmsford and Brentwood, with the designs painted on roads close to war memorials.

A "disrespectful" council has been accused of wasting money by painting poppies onto the road ahead of Remembrance Day. | William Lailey / SWNS

But the move has not gone down well with everyone, with some residents questioning whether the tributes should be placed where cars and buses could drive over them. One furious resident, who served in the armed forces, said the idea was both embarrassing and a distraction for motorists. They said: "We should be sorting out the awful state of the roads, not wasting money on this." The resident added that the poppy was a deeply personal symbol of remembrance for family and friends who had been killed or injured during service.

Another critic questioned whether the decision-maker was a veteran, arguing that money would have been better spent supporting military charities. They said: "No one wants to see cars driving over poppies painted on the road, how is that respectful?"

The emblems, which are painted across Essex including Chelmsford, Brentwood and Essex, are on roads close to war memorials. | William Lailey / SWNS

However, not everyone is against the colourful tribute. Jo Jiggins, 63, said she thought the displays were a lovely gesture and had caught her eye while walking along the road. She argued that motorists in a normal driving position would avoid driving over the emblems. But she warned the council must make sure the paintings are removed after Remembrance Day or properly maintained to prevent them becoming shabby.

Essex County Council leader Cllr Peter Harris defended the initiative, describing the emblems as a "powerful visual tribute" to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. He said the council was also investing in the refurbishment and maintenance of war memorials. Cllr Mark Webster, the council's cabinet member for highways and infrastructure and a veteran himself, said he was pleased the poppies would be displayed across the county. Meanwhile, Armed Forces Champion Cllr Terry Longstaff said the initiative would help ensure future generations understood the sacrifices made for their freedoms.

But with opinions sharply divided, the road-side poppies have certainly made an impression ahead of this year's commemorations.