CARETAKERS have been banned from climbing to the top of Huddersfield Town Hall to tend to the flagpole.
Health and safety experts say it is unsafe for workers to climb out of a rooftop window to reach the pole where the Union Flag flies.
Caretakers have to squeeze through a narrow window to get out and then walk the length of the building on duckboards.
But they have been told not to do it any more because it is a risk.
A £16,000 scheme has now been revealed to make it safe for the workers to go out on the roof.
A new door is planned within six feet of the flagpole.
It will enable the caretakers to do their job in `safety and dignity', say officials.
They said the alterations would save embarrassment if the flag stays unattended.
The Union Flag is flown permanently after Tory leaders of Kirklees Council said they wanted to show patriotism.
But the ban on workers going on the roof means the flag would not be tended to if there were any problems - or hauled to half- mast.
Heritage officers had to be consulted about the work because the town hall is a listed building.
A blueprint had to be drawn up which was acceptable to the heritage staff.
