City’s new streets could be named in Welsh only
NEW streets in the capital could be given Welsh-only road names under new plans. Cardiff council is keen for new streets and future developments in the city to be given names that reflect local heritage, ensuring a historical, cultural and linguistic link to the city.
The plans were first announced last year – and council officials are due to make a decision on whether or not to adopt the scheme at a meeting next month.
Cabinet member for transport, planning and sustainability Councillor Caro Wild said: “Cardiff has a significant historical background so it’s important as the city grows we acknowledge and preserve this heritage by ensuring new street names have a local and historical context.
“The names we give new streets
and developments have a key role to play in place-making and as we work towards becoming a truly bilingual capital city.
“It’s essential our ambition is captured in distinct names that have significance to our surroundings.”
Consultation on the draft policy, which looks at bringing a parity between English street names and Welsh street names in the city, took place earlier this year over six weeks, between January and March.
The response to the consultation will be considered by cabinet in September.
Mabli Siriol, from Welsh-langugage group Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said: “We welcome the council’s intention to name every new street in Welsh only: it would give a boost to the status and use of the language in the city.”
However, she added: “We do think there are ways to strengthen the draft policy to ensure Welsh is visible on every single current street name.
“The draft proposals also didn’t ensure the names of new office blocks and other developments in the city centre are named in Welsh – there are far too many which are English-only.”
A Cardiff council spokesman added: “The naming and numbering of streets and properties has a number of important functions including way-finding, efficient delivery of mail and ensuring emergency services can locate properties quickly.”