DUP rejects calls for review of council bilingual street sign policy

The DUP has branded Sinn Féin’s request for a review of Causeway Coast and Glens Council’s street naming policy as a bid to force through its “language agenda”.

Current rules require two thirds of households on any street to respond favourably to dual language signage requests before action is taken.

But amid controversy over Belfast City Council’s policies on branding and street signage, Sinn Féin members here have asked officers to review Causeway Coast and Glens’ policy.

DUP Group leader Dawn Huggins said: “What Sinn Féin is doing here is no accident. They are chipping away, issue by issue, to force through their language agenda.

“Here in Causeway, we must resist this attempt to turn a settled, balanced signage policy into a cause for division.

“The DUP Causeway Group remains committed to protecting equality, fiscal responsibility, and respect across our community.”

Cllr Tanya Elder added: “Ratepayers demand transparency and fairness. We refuse to allow political manoeuvres to hijack Council time and ratepayers’ resources especially when the aim is to push one cultural identity above others.

To have bilingual signs installed in Causeway Coast and Glens, residents must first produce a petition of signatories containing one third of the street’s residents.

A council-run ballot must then result in two thirds voting in favour of the proposal.

Belfast City Council has a threshold of only 15 per cent of occupants before a report is delivered to councillors and a vote taken.

The DUP said it will vote against any proposal to review or amend Causeway Coast and Glens’ current signage policy and called on all councillors to focus on “practical service delivery and responsible spending”.

Sinn Féin was approached for comment but has yet to respond.