A new street sign in Portadown will be displayed in both English and Irish, marking a landmark decision for the town. The move comes after a lengthy process involving surveys and council meetings, with local residents overwhelmingly in favour of bilingual signage.
The move is expected to be ratified at the Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council on Monday after it was recommended for adoption under the council’s Street Naming and Numbering Policy. The sign will be at the Co Armagh town’s Woodside Gardens , off the Garvaghy Road.
All residents and the commercial premises tenant were in favour of bilingual signage, while the owner of the commercial premises took a neutral view – well in excess of the two-thirds majority required. The applicant collected and posted back a number of the surveys, which is not in breach of policy. The matter was meant to be discussed at a May 1 Planning & Regulatory Services Committee meeting.
A representative from Irish language body, Conradh na Gaeilge, wrote: “Research has consistently supported the case for increased language visibility, particularly in the context of minoritised languages. “The area around the People’s Park, where this proposed signage , will only be a number of metres away and clearly visible from the main entrance. It should remain a welcoming neutral space for all sections of our community, particularly our young people.”
Another objector wrote: “I would like to oppose the Irish language signage going up in the Woodside area. This signage is just more evidence that the small Protestant community in this area have basically no rights. This area of Portadown is a cold house for Protestants.” “Our arch has over the years been constantly attacked, but our resolve has been steadfast as we are very much part of the area and community in which these divisive signs have been applied to be erected.”
“I think we should just go ahead, move onwards and get this application over the line. It’s dual language signage, there’s no threat to no one. I’d like to propose the application.” “It’s a historic decision. This may be the first dual language street sign in a residential setting in this borough. No doubt there’ll be other applications in various languages in the future. For me it’s pretty clear that even though there’s been some external objectors from outside the area, the residents of Woodside Gardens are united in their desire for the signs, and as such we should acquiesce to it.
“It was important that those people who had concerns about this were given the fullest opportunity to express those.”
Bilingual Signage Portadown Ireland Woodside Gardens Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Council
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