Dual-language signs are considered for streets like Wynchurch, despite more residents voting against them than supporting them.
Dual-language signs are considered for streets like Wynchurch, despite more residents voting against them than supporting them.
Belfast Streets May Get Irish Signs Despite Resident Opposition
Wynchurch Avenue, Sunningdale Park, and others were delayed. They met the signage rules, at least. More people opposed than supported the signs. A fifth street’s application got closed earlier.
The committee discussed handling delayed requests. These requests met a 15% threshold. Opposition numbers were higher than support, though. Since 2022, these requests were “put back.” They were to be considered later. A Sinn Féin councillor wants to move forward.
She wants Irish signs on four streets. These were Wynchurch, Sunningdale, and two others. She said it follows minority rights guidelines. Eleven members voted yes for the signs. Nine voted against it at the meeting. The vote was from Sinn Féin and the SDLP.
DUP and Alliance members voted no on the matter. A full council vote will happen in April. Wynchurch showed 18% support, 26% opposed. The numbers changed slightly in another survey. Sunningdale had 22% support and 33% opposed. Ben Madigan had 23% support and 26% opposed. Wellington showed 17% support, 31% opposed.
A DUP councillor said people don’t want signs. He mentioned Sunningdale Park North as an example. He said the survey clearly shows that. He said views of the people are very clear. Another DUP councillor said it costs too much.
She feels it causes division in communities. She said a woman opposed the signs. The woman said she is very strongly against them. She feels the signs impact the settled community. In 2022, councillors agreed on a new sign policy.
Sinn Féin and others support the policy. Unionist parties like the DUP oppose it. One resident can start a consultation for signs. Fifteen percent support now allows a sign. Previously, 33% of residents had to sign a petition. Sixty-six percent had to agree to the dual sign.
Councillors also approved new recommendations. These involve handling delayed applications at the “back.” Applicants are notified of the committee’s choice. The application is marked as delayed by them. A new application starts again, at the end. The committee will then reconsider the application later.
The council will write to all the applicants. It informs of the prior decision for that street. “On hold” marks all applications for street signs. Further actions await the outcome of the delay. Two applications got delayed before surveys. The council based this on initial adverse impacts. Ebor Street and Ballysillan Road are the streets.
The DUP wanted to close these applications. Their proposal failed by a vote of fifteen to five. Other parties rejected the DUP’s effort to remove both ideas. The Ebor and Ballysillan stay at the back.
Wynchurch Avenue, Sunningdale Park, and others were delayed. They met the signage rules, at least. More people opposed than supported the signs. A fifth street’s application got closed earlier.
The committee discussed handling delayed requests. These requests met a 15% threshold. Opposition numbers were higher than support, though. Since 2022, these requests were “put back.” They were to be considered later. A Sinn Féin councillor wants to move forward.
She wants Irish signs on four streets. These were Wynchurch, Sunningdale, and two others. She said it follows minority rights guidelines. Eleven members voted yes for the signs. Nine voted against it at the meeting. The vote was from Sinn Féin and the SDLP.
DUP and Alliance members voted no on the matter. A full council vote will happen in April. Wynchurch showed 18% support, 26% opposed. The numbers changed slightly in another survey. Sunningdale had 22% support and 33% opposed. Ben Madigan had 23% support and 26% opposed. Wellington showed 17% support, 31% opposed.
A DUP councillor said people don’t want signs. He mentioned Sunningdale Park North as an example. He said the survey clearly shows that. He said views of the people are very clear. Another DUP councillor said it costs too much.
She feels it causes division in communities. She said a woman opposed the signs. The woman said she is very strongly against them. She feels the signs impact the settled community. In 2022, councillors agreed on a new sign policy.
Sinn Féin and others support the policy. Unionist parties like the DUP oppose it. One resident can start a consultation for signs. Fifteen percent support now allows a sign. Previously, 33% of residents had to sign a petition. Sixty-six percent had to agree to the dual sign.
Councillors also approved new recommendations. These involve handling delayed applications at the “back.” Applicants are notified of the committee’s choice. The application is marked as delayed by them. A new application starts again, at the end. The committee will then reconsider the application later.
The council will write to all the applicants. It informs of the prior decision for that street. “On hold” marks all applications for street signs. Further actions await the outcome of the delay. Two applications got delayed before surveys. The council based this on initial adverse impacts. Ebor Street and Ballysillan Road are the streets.
The DUP wanted to close these applications. Their proposal failed by a vote of fifteen to five. Other parties rejected the DUP’s effort to remove both ideas. The Ebor and Ballysillan stay at the back.