Submission to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council consultation on dual language street signage
In 2018, the Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council voted for an ‘English only’ street signage policy. CAJ and Conradh na Gaeilge (CnaG) advised the Council that this policy was unlawful, but it was only withdrawn in the face of Judicial Review proceedings. Another draft policy was withdrawn in 2019 after major concerns were again raised. In January 2022, in light of further applications for bilingual street signs, the Council commenced consultation on a new proposed policy. The current proposals however replicate many of the same issues associated with the 2019 policy. For example, a two thirds threshold is still required from residents to proceed with bilingual signage despite international standards providing for a much lower threshold of between 5% to 20%. CAJ and CnaG have therefore responded to the consultation seeking significant changes to the proposed policy.
Download our response here.