A city council has spent £200,000 on a new walking trail designed to highlight its historical links to the transatlantic slave trade, prompting debate over the use of public funds for such heritage projects. The scheme forms part of wider efforts by local authorities to publicly acknowledge and educate residents about the lasting impact of Britain's involvement in the slave trade, though the spending has drawn scrutiny amid pressure on council budgets.

The trail is intended to guide visitors through sites connected to the city's slave trade history, with information boards and markers explaining the legacy of that period on the local area and its institutions. Critics have questioned the cost and priorities behind the project, particularly at a time when many councils face financial pressure over core services, while supporters argue such initiatives are important for confronting and understanding the city's past.