O’Dowd announces bi-lingual traffic sign pilot in West Belfast

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has announced that his Department is to pilot the use of bi-lingual traffic signs, using both Irish and English, in the Gaeltacht Quarter in West Belfast.

Bi-lingual traffic signs and road markings will be installed on the Falls Road between the Springfield Road and Whiterock Road. 

The Minister said:

“The Gaeltacht Quarter is an ideal location for this pilot.  Traffic signs and road markings in this area will soon be in both Irish and English which will complement the use of these languages by other businesses and organisations in the Gaeltacht Quarter.   I believe this is a positive development which demonstrates my support for Irish as a living language used daily by this thriving community.” 

Forbairt Feirste Project Manager Piarais Mac Alastair said: 

“We are delighted that after many years of campaigning, the Gaeltacht Quarter will have dual language Irish and English road signage- the first of its kind in the North. This will be a catalyst for a wider rollout of Dual Language road signage across the North where demand for Dual Language provision is ever increasing.

"Visibility of the Irish Language in the public realm is vital in promoting, understanding & building awareness of our shared language. This is a positive first step in ensuring that the Irish Language is visible in all our public transport network and we look forward to working with the Minister and his department in the coming months and years to further develop this dual language provision.” 

Notes to editors: 

1. The Irish language version of this press release is available at: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/comharthai-trachta-datheangacha-iarthar-bheal-feirste-fogartha-ag-odowd-ar-bhonn-piolotach
2. The pilot will only include traffic signs which are the Department's responsibility.  Street name signs are the Council's responsibility and public information and tourist related information boards are outside the scope of this pilot project.
3. A scoping survey identified 93 upright traffic signs and 35 worded road markings.  The majority of signs and markings relate to bus lanes, with the remainder being a mix of mainly parking and direction signs.