'These signs create unnecessary tension where none previously existed': Bid to halt Irish in Unionist area that rejected it
The DUP has moved to stop a rule-flaunting decision that would see Irish signs built in a unionist area where five times as many people voted against the language as support it, arguing the choice is “wrong and should be reversed”.
Donegall Park Avenue in north Belfast is defined as a ‘long street’ under the city council’s dual-language sign policy, meaning it not only covers a large area but is also divided into sections home to broadly unionist and broadly nationalist pockets that have opposing views on building the signs.
A list of which roads are considered ‘long streets’ was signed off by all parties on the council some time ago, but Sinn Fein recently concluded Donegall Park Avenue shouldn’t count as one.
During a meeting at the end of last month, the party insisted Irish signs must be built along its entire length, including in a unionist area at its junction with Shore Road.
Council officials suggested following the agreed ‘long streets’ designation and only adding signs to sections of Donegall Park Avenue where they’re wanted, but Sinn Fein successfully pushed to override them and break with established operating methods to plaster Irish over the unionist area as well as the nationalist one.
Now the DUP has filed a “call-in” over the decision, which could see it brought back for further discussion or even struck out altogether.
Speaking after lodging the move, alderman Dean McCullough told the News Letter: “The decision to introduce Irish street signage at the lower end of Donegall Park Avenue was wrong and should be reversed.
“This is a settled community where hardworking residents have invested in their homes and lived harmoniously alongside their neighbours. The concern is that a decision which could have been avoided has created unnecessary tension where none previously existed.
“Donegall Park Avenue is a long street with different sections and differing views. The council’s own policy recognises that reality, and the sensible compromise was to provide signage where there is support while respecting the views of those residents who do not want it.
“Residents, not politicians, will live with the consequences of this decision. North Belfast DUP will continue to stand up for local people and work for a practical solution that respects everyone.
“We will always stand up for the residents of Donegall Park Avenue and the Shore Road, ensuring that local voices are heard and respected.”
Sinn Fein initially lost a vote building Irish over the whole street at a June committee, but with the support of other nationalists and the Greens managed to get that decision overturned on Wednesday night.
Showing the split, in a nationalist area at its junction with Antrim Road 64% are in favour of Irish signs while 9% are against; at the opposite end of the street, the unionist part at its junction with Shore Road, just 10% back Irish signs while 57.5% don’t want them.
The council has set a threshold in which just 15% of support among residents is needed to build dual language signs. Overall, Donegall Park Avenue passes that threshold, though building them along the entire road should only be possible if the ‘long streets’ designation is ignored.
Since the threshold started operating more than three years ago, no signs in a language other than Irish have been approved.