A Labour council facing financial difficulties has come under fire for allocating £35,000 to install LGBT-themed zebra crossings, which some argue is part of a “politically correct agenda.”
Last year, Blackpool Council introduced six crossings adorned with rainbow flags. This initiative was part of their “Be Who You Want To Be” campaign, aimed at celebrating the rich LGBTQ+ history and diversity of the area.
However, this move has sparked controversy. Critics have expressed concerns over safety and the council’s spending priorities, urging a judicial review to examine the decision further. They argue that the expenditure is questionable given the council’s financial constraints.
The Christian Legal Centre is contemplating a legal challenge, suggesting these crossings might violate political neutrality laws. Andrea Williams, the centre’s chief executive, criticized the use of taxpayer funds for the project, calling it “unacceptable.”
“The council seems to be chasing a politically correct agenda while crucial public services are underfunded,” Williams remarked in an interview with The Telegraph.
‘The council appears to be pursuing a politically correct agenda while essential public services are struggling for funding,’ she told The Telegraph.
Maya Forstater, director of advocacy at human rights charity Sex Matters, said the multi-coloured design could be a safety risk for those with impaired vision.
She accused the council of spending tens of thousands of pounds on ‘trans activist propaganda’, calling the splurge ‘wasteful and unnecessary’.
Blackpool council installed six of the rainbow flag crossings last year despite reportedly being more than £500million in debt
The new design in Dickson Road was last March vandalised with black paint a day after its triumphant unveiling.
Angry locals had earlier blasted it as an ‘eyesore’ and a ‘waste of money’.
Unveiling the artistic crossing last year, council leader Lynn Williams said: ‘The new rainbow crossings bring an injection of colour and are a celebration of the long established LGBTQ+ history and diversity of the area.
‘The LGBTQ+ community and businesses are very important to the economy of our town and I want the improvements made through the Action Plan to make this area to feel vibrant, unique and safe for everyone.
‘There is still more work to be done but I’m proud that we’re committed to developing the identity of this area of the town centre, making it an area of inclusivity for everyone to be who they want to be.’
Cllr Williams last November denied the council was on the ‘brink of bankruptcy’ after the leader of the opposition Tory party warned ‘massive overspends’ were putting the local authority’s future at risk.
Writing on her ‘leader’s blog‘, she said that the council’s £25million worth of reserves meant ‘we are solvent and secure’.
The council has currently borrowed more than £500million to invest in assets worth around £1.1billion.
The money for the crossings ‘has come from a fund that is specifically there to improve public spaces and can’t be used for potholes or any other highways maintenance’.
The crossings formed part of the council’s ‘Be Who You Want To Be’ project and as ‘a celebration of the long established LGBTQ+ history and diversity of the area’
The new design in Dickson Road was last March vandalised with black paint a day after its triumphant unveiling
A Blackpool council spokesman said: ‘The crossings were part of a wider plan to regenerate the area, after the community told us they wanted the area to be brighter and create a sense of community.
‘That regeneration is working – in the first year of the Be You community, it has created a dozen new businesses and jobs for local people. The Government’s latest deprivation figures also show that this area has shown levels of improvement.
‘The crossings were funded from a pot could only be used to improve public spaces. It couldn’t have been used for potholes or any other highways maintenance. The maintenance of our highways is still happening – we have over 300 miles of road across our borough that we look after well.
‘The crossings remain clearly identifiable as zebra crossings, featuring distinct white stripes, appropriate road markings on the approaches, and flashing amber beacons.
‘They also incorporate a range of safety features including tactile paving surfaces, crossing control push buttons, and tactile cones on the control boxes all designed to assist pedestrians and ensure safe passage across the road.’
