INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Liz Kimmins has told departmental officials to examine the possibility of the expansion of bilingual road signage in West Belfast.

Bilingual signage was installed along parts of the Falls in a pilot scheme in July of this year, between the Whiterock Road and the Springfield Road. 

The Minister's announcement comes as English-only road markings were added to bus lanes this week on other parts of the Falls Road.

Responding to a question from Sinn Féin MLA Caral Ní Chuilín in the Assembly on Tuesday, the Minister said she has "asked officials to complete a scoping exercise for the potential expansion of that pilot, which would extend dual language signage along the full length of the Falls Road within the Gaeltacht Quarter, which is not currently covered by the pilot."

She continued, "Officials will need to undertake an assessment of existing signage along the route, complete the design of any new bilingual signs, process the new authorisation, identify funding and programme the sign erection works, which may take a number of months."

The minister praised the signage installed during the summer as "a really positive addition to the Gaeltacht Quarter and, indeed, West Belfast".

Responding to a further question from Ms Ní Chuilín on whether the pilot scheme would be rolled out to cover the whole geographical area of the Gaeltacht Quarter, the Minister said that would be considered "as part of the scoping exercise," and that there has been a "huge positive reaction" to the signage erected earlier this year. 

"It would really maximise what it has brought to the area," she said.

"It really reflects the growing interest in, and discussion around, the Irish language. It is so difficult to even get a space in an Irish language class now because there is such a thriving community that continues to grow. Initiatives such as this really bolster that and encourage more and more people to get involved. It is a good opportunity for us to build on what is already in place."

West Belfast MLA Aisling Reilly welcomed the news.

“I welcome the announcement from the Infrastructure Minister that her officials are looking at extending the pilot bi-lingual traffic signage the full length of the Falls Road to cover the whole Gaeltacht Quarter area.

“Irish is flourishing throughout West Belfast’s Gaeltacht Quarter and indeed right across the island with record numbers of people choosing to learn the Irish language.

“This will be a boost to the energetic revival of the language, as well as helping to continue with the positive transformation of West Belfast.

“Sinn Féin will continue working hard to promote the Irish language and to improve its visibility across the north.”