Council asked to provide annual cost for erection of dual language street signs in Antrim and Newtownabbey

In line with the council’s dual language street sign policy, a petition of residents is now pending verification at the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland.

An application for Hollybrook Gardens, Newtownabbey will proceed to stage three of the process after a canvass of residents was found to have met the required threshold of two thirds of residents in favour.

Canvass letters are to be sent to residents of Brecart Road, Toomebridge, Packenham Court, Crumlin and Mayfield Park, Mallusk after applications reached the second stage of the process.

Canvass letters have been issued to residents of Cargin Road and Loup Road, Toomebridge seeking their opinion on proposed dual language street signs.

The council’s dual language street sign policy was adopted in May 2022.

An application for dual language street signs to the local authority must be supported by a petition representing at least one-third of residents and must have the backing of the council before it can proceed to the next stage of canvassing street residents by post to seek their views on the request to erect a street sign in a second specified language.

If a decision is approved by the authority to erect a street sign in a second language, a translation will have to be carried out by an independent body. The second language sign will be placed below the English in lettering the same size.

A translation has to be carried out by an independent body. The second language sign will be placed below the English in lettering the same size. Signs are installed at a cost of £500 each.

At a meeting of the borough council last month, Threemilewater DUP Alderman Stephen Ross asked for a rolling report on the cost of Irish street sign applications and installation.

Chief executive Richard Baker said he could bring back to councillors a rolling annual cost for the erection of street signs.

Airport Sinn Fein Councillor Annemarie Logue said: “If we are going to go down the route of looking at Irish language dual signs, could I have the cost for English signs too please?”

The first dual language street signs to include Irish were approved by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in January 2024, These were erected at Bawnmore Grove, Bawnmore Place and Newton Gardens, in Newtownabbey.

The following month, a second set was approved at Glenville Mews, Bawnmore Terrace and Mount Street, in Newtownabbey with a third round of applications for Bawnmore Park and Finlay Park approved in March 2024.

The first dual language to be proposed outside Newtownabbey at St Joseph’s Court, Crumlin, was not approved, however, as the threshold of two-thirds or more in favour of the erection of a second language street sign was not met as required by council policy.

A total of 24 applications have been received during the first three years, of which 14 were successful.