The cash-strapped council has been accused of “pursuing a politically correct agenda” despite severe financial pressure.
Blackpool Council transformed six zebra crossings for Pride (Image: Blackpool Council)
A Labour council hundreds of millions of pounds in debt has splashed out £35,000 on LGBTQ+ rainbow crossings. Despite being cash-strapped by around £570m, Blackpool council gave the Lancashire town’s zebra crossings a makeover in the colours of the Pride flag. The local authority said the move was to celebrate “the long-established LGBTQ+ history and diversity” in the area.
However, the rainbow crossings have been met with criticism, as charities brand the “reckless spending” as “wasteful”. Maya Forstater, director of advocacy at Sex Matters told The Telegraph: “Rainbow-coloured pedestrian crossings are a safety concern, particularly for those with impaired vision, and it is wasteful and unnecessary for Blackpool council to spend £35k on trans activist propaganda. There can be no justification for this reckless spending, and Blackpool council should be ashamed for promoting an ideology that is especially harmful to women, children and same-sex attracted people on the public purse.”
Zebra crossings were transformed for Pride in London too (Image: Getty)
The Christian Legal Centre is reportedly looking into bringing a legal challenge against the six crossings in Blackpool to get them removed.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said the authority is “pursuing a politically correct agenda” while public services are underfunded.
“The decision to spend £35,000 on the project is deeply concerning and, in our view, open to judicial review. The Christian Legal Centre is actively considering this option,” she told The Telegraph.
Blackpool council made sweeping cuts from its budget for the 2025-26 financial year, which mainly affected adult social care and children’s services. Council tax was also increased by 5%.
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.”
