A Lancashire seaside resort with debts of £570 million allocated £35,000 for multicoloured pedestrian crossings whilst simultaneously implementing £9 million in service reductions.
The six crossings in Blackpool feature Pride flag colours, including pink, blue and white stripes representing transgender individuals, installed to honour the town’s LGBTQ+ heritage and community.
This expenditure has triggered potential judicial proceedings from the Christian Legal Centre, which argues the crossings breach political neutrality requirements under the Local Government Act 1986.
The organisation’s chief executive, Andrea Williams, told The Telegraph: “The council appears to be pursuing a politically correct agenda while essential public services are struggling for funding.”
She described the £35,000 allocation as “deeply concerning” and confirmed her organisation was “actively considering” a judicial review to challenge the crossings’ installation.
Williams emphasised that councils must “act responsibly and prioritise the needs of their communities” rather than diverting taxpayer funds from essential services to what she termed “pet projects”.
The crossings form part of Blackpool’s “Be Who You Want To Be” initiative, aimed at enhancing areas frequented by the town’s substantial LGBTQ+ business sector.
Maya Forstater, advocacy director at Sex Matters, told The Telegraph the rainbow crossings posed safety risks, “particularly for those with impaired vision”.
She condemned the £35,000 expenditure as “wasteful and unnecessary” spending on “trans activist propaganda”, stating: “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.”
The council’s financial decisions come amid severe budget constraints that have affected core services across Blackpool.
Earlier this year, the authority implemented nearly £9 million in budget reductions for the 2025/26 financial year, with the majority affecting adult social care and children’s services.
Residents faced a five per cent council tax increase, adding £115 annually to bills for Band D properties.
Road maintenance data examined by the RAC indicated Blackpool was amongst three councils that recorded no pothole repairs or road resurfacing during the previous year.
The council disputed these figures, explaining that their road works were categorised as reconstruction rather than resurfacing.
Council leader Lynn Williams confirmed in February that Blackpool’s accumulated debt totalled approximately £570 million, though she noted the authority’s long-term assets exceeded £1.1 billion in value.
Williams defended the rainbow crossings when they were unveiled, stating: “The new rainbow crossings bring an injection of colour and are a celebration of the long-established LGBTQ+ history and diversity of the area.”
She highlighted the economic significance of LGBTQ+ enterprises and residents to Blackpool, expressing her desire for the improvements to create an environment that feels “vibrant, unique and safe for everyone”.
The council leader clarified that funding for the crossings originated from a designated budget for public space enhancements, which she said “can’t be used for potholes or any other highways maintenance”.
This explanation addresses criticism about spending priorities, though opponents maintain the funds could have supported other community needs during the current financial crisis.
The Christian Legal Centre has not yet confirmed whether it will proceed with formal legal action against the crossings.
The organisation continues to evaluate options for challenging what it considers a misuse of public funds during a period of financial hardship for the council.
Blackpool’s LGBTQ+ business community contributes significantly to the local economy, particularly in the entertainment and hospitality sectors that define the seaside resort.
The town has hosted Pride celebrations for decades and maintains numerous LGBTQ+-friendly venues along its famous promenade.
Critics maintain that regardless of funding source restrictions, the council should have redirected resources towards pressing community needs rather than symbolic gestures.
GB News has contacted Blackpool Council for comment.