Requests for Irish street signs 'causing divisions and raising tensions' in mixed areas of Derry

RESIDENTS of a development in the Waterside have rejected a move to erect an Irish language street sign amidst claims that such moves are causing ‘divisions’ in communities. However, residents of a street in the cityside have voted overwhelmingly in favour of having a bilingual street sign erected outside their homes. It comes after the latest applications received by Derry City and Strabane District Council for bilingual street signage, which saw one lodged for Blackthorn Manor in the Waterside, and another lodged for the Woodbook development on the cityside. In response, council carried out surveys in both areas in accordance with its policy on street naming. A minimum consent of 66 per cent is needed by the council to ensure that it can erect the new street sign. A report presented at a recent meeting of council’s Health and Community meeting revealed that 81 surveys were returned from people living in the Blackthorn Manor. The survey showed that 51.85 per cent of people questioned did not want bilingual street signage, with 48.15 per cent of people voting for it, meaning the application was rejected. A total of 107 returns were received following the survey in the Woodbrook area, which saw an overwhelming majority of 87 per cent in favour of the Irish language street signs and 13 per cent opposing it. New street signs will now be erected in the Woodbrook area. Speaking to the Derry News, the DUP’s David Ramsey said he had concerns about the number of applications being made to the local council for bilingual street signage, adding that requests for Irish street names in areas such as Blackthorn Manor were causing ‘divisions and raising tensions’. “It’s a shame because areas like Blackthorn are mixed areas and it seems that this application was a deliberate attempt to stir up tensions and cause divisions in the community,” he told the Derry News. “There’s never been any issues in the area and it’s very settled.” Alderman Ramsey also said that he council should now review the process through which the applications are lodged. “All it takes is one person to lodge one of these requests, then council are duty bound to carry out a survey in the street,” he added. “It’s an awful waste of ratepayers’ money.” A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed that if it one person makes an application for an Irish language street sign, it must then carry out a survey of all the houses in the street. “If council receives an application for bilingual street signage from a street resident, a plebiscite of all dwellings in the street will be undertaken to ascertain support for the proposal,” the spokesperson said. “A quota of 66 per cent of the plebiscite returns must be in favour of the proposal before installation of bilingual signage will take place.”