A St Andrews roundabout on one of the main routes to The Open has been unofficially renamed in honour of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
However, the signs and flags erected by an unknown group are to be removed by Fife Council, who fear they are a distraction to drivers.
Several white signs bearing the president’s name have appeared on the A91 Guardbridge Road, near the entrance to the Old Course Hotel.
It’s one of Fife’s busiest roads.
And it will be used by tens of thousands of Open Championship spectators over the next few days.
A number of families who fled war-torn Ukraine have settled in north east Fife and have been welcomed by locals with open arms.
It’s thought the roundabout renaming was done as a sign of solidarity.
St Andrews Ukraine signs are ‘a distraction to drivers’
But Fife Council says the new additions could distract drivers negotiating the busy route.
And officers fear people may have put themselves in danger while erecting them.
They plan to take them down after The Open, but realise the move may prove unpopular.
Roads and transportation manager John Mitchell said: “As a council we’re doing all we can to support Ukraine, including welcoming refugees to Fife.
“We’ve investigated and it would appear that this roundabout has been named unofficially by an unknown group or individual.
“We completely understand why this has been done and we know removing the flags and signs may not be popular.
“We’d be happy to give the signs and the flags back to whoever put them up if they get in touch.”
It is Fife Council policy to remove anything from the road network that shouldn’t be there.
Other ways to honour President Zelensky
Mr Mitchell added: “Although roundabouts can be sponsored, we tend not to name them after people.”
There is, however, an official street naming and number policy.
This gives people the chance to propose or change the name of a street.
“If anyone wanted to honour President Zelensky, this would be the formal way to do so,” Mr Mitchell said.
“There would then be a full consultation process for a new name.”
A copy of the policy can be found here.
Conversation