A Labour-led local authority, Blackpool Council, is facing significant criticism and a potential legal challenge after it spent £35,000 on installing rainbow-coloured LGBT zebra crossings. The project has been accused of pushing a 'politically correct agenda' while the council reportedly struggles with debts exceeding £500 million.
Celebration or Provocation?
The council installed six of the vibrant crossings last year as a central part of its 'Be Who You Want To Be' initiative. They described the move as a celebration of the long-established LGBTQ+ history and diversity of the area. Council Leader Lynn Williams, at the unveiling, said the crossings were meant to bring an 'injection of colour' and help make the town centre feel 'vibrant, unique and safe for everyone.'
However, the initiative was met with immediate backlash. One of the new crossings on Dickson Road was vandalised with black paint just a day after its launch, following complaints from some locals who labelled it an 'eyesore' and a 'waste of money'.
Legal Challenges and Safety Concerns
The opposition has since escalated beyond public discontent. The Christian Legal Centre is now considering a judicial review, arguing that the crossings breach laws on political neutrality. Andrea Williams, the centre's chief executive, stated that the amount of taxpayers' cash spent was unacceptable, especially when essential public services are underfunded.
Further safety concerns have been raised by Maya Forstater, director of the advocacy group Sex Matters. She warned that the multi-coloured design could pose a risk to pedestrians with impaired vision, calling the expenditure on what she termed trans activist propaganda both 'wasteful and unnecessary'.
The Council's Defence
In response to the growing controversy, a Blackpool Council spokesman mounted a robust defence. He emphasised that the money came from a specific fund for improving public spaces and could not have been used for other purposes like fixing potholes.
The spokesman also highlighted the project's success, stating that the regeneration effort has already created a dozen new businesses and jobs in the area. He insisted that the crossings remain fully compliant with safety standards, featuring distinct white stripes, tactile paving, flashing amber beacons, and other standard zebra crossing features to ensure safe passage for all pedestrians.
Despite the council's assurances, the debate continues to rage, pitting a vision of inclusive urban regeneration against fierce criticism over fiscal prudence and the role of local government.
