Zebra crossing repaired after more than a year

A zebra crossing on a busy Darwen town centre road has finally been repaired after more than a year out of action.

The Belisha beacon at the pedestrian crossing in Crown Street, off Redearth Road, near Sainsbury’s Hardman Way store, had not been working for more than 12 months.

But now talks between Blackburn with Darwen Council and national supermarket chain Sainsbury’s have finally led to a solution.

The long-term failure to repair it angered residents and Darwen councillors Dave Smith and Anthony Shaw.

Two other nearby pedestrian crossings are also being repaired.

One resident, known as Fred, raised the problem with town hall staff last summer.

Now Carmel Foster-Devine – Blackburn with Darwen Council’s head of highways, transport and networks – has said: “We share the resident’s concerns over this matter and have been working persistently to try and identify a solution to fix the lights on the zebra crossings.

“The situation has been complicated and lengthy due to the unusual circumstance of the electricity supply to the lights not being provided by the council. To resolve the issue, the council will need to take over the connections, which will be a carefully planned process due to live wires.

“Once this has been implemented, it will enable us to address any future issues in a timely manner.”

Fred said: “A family member pointed out last year that the zebra crossing pole on Crown Street, off Redearth Road, had still not been fixed.

“This has been like this since at least January or February 2025. We highlighted it on March 27.

“Persistently my foot!

“The lamp has been broken for up to three years and it was only when we kicked up a stink that they have done something about it – eventually after 12 months.

“I think they only pulled their finger out when I pointed out that they would be liable in the event of an accident and the inference that I’d be contacting the Health and Safety Executive if something wasn’t done about it.

“As far as I know they have been sorted now.”

The three crossings have been added to the council’s street lighting inventory. From now on, if any go faulty or are struck by a vehicle, there will be no further issues repairing them in an appropriate timeframe.

Darwen West ward’s Cllr Smith said: “After all this time, I am pleased this issue has been resolved.”