Welsh street sign vandalism condemned as a ‘hate crime’
A VANDALISED Welsh-language street sign in Cardiff won’t stop the council introducing bilingual street names, a councillor has said.
The Welsh version of the street name on the new sign, placed on Heol Orllewinol Romill – which translates to Romilly Road West – was recently painted out with what appears to be black spray paint.
The street is near Victoria Park in the Canton area of the city. Labour councillor Stephen Cunnah said he has reported the incident to police.
Councillor Cunnah, who represents Canton, said: “Very disappointed. Someone has vandalised a new bilingual sign in Canton. This is not acceptable at all.
“I’ve asked officers to arrange it, and made a complaint to the police. Cardiff council’s Welsh street-naming policy will remain in place despite the idiots.”
Cardiff council decided in 2019 that any new streets in Cardiff would be given Welsh names.
Streets in new developments are given Welsh names which reflect the history of the area as the council works towards an equal number of Welsh and English street names across the city.
More main streets in Cardiff city centre and the Bay will also become bilingual under a new street-naming policy agreed by the council’s cabinet.
It means main streets which have historically not had Welsh names represented on signs, such as City Road, or Heol y Plwca in Welsh, could potentially be given bilingual names.
Existing streets in residential areas of the city, whether they are in English or Welsh, will stay as they are.
A new street’s name could be considered in a language other than Welsh in “exceptional circumstances” if it reflects the heritage of the area, the council said.
Council leader Huw Thomas said at the time: “We know Cardiff is growing and this will make sure the streets reflect the historic origins of these areas.”
As well as the Welsh-language street name, a 20mph sign was also vandalised near the park.
The traffic sign had been spraypainted with “some joke” graffiti.
Cllr Cunnah called the graffiti a “hate crime” and said: “I’ve just visited the site now. In addition to the street sign, across the road the bumper has also attacked a speed limit sign. They have taped over ‘zone’ and have written ‘some joke’. This is not a joke, this is a hate crime.”