Review of bilingual road signs is to be fast-tracked

Published on Thursday 12 March 2009 20:56

THE Scottish Government is to fast-track a review of bilingual road signs after criticism from a council for stalling on the issue.

Stewart Stevenson, the transport minister, told Highland Council no more Gaelic-English signs would be installed until after a study into whether they are affecting road safety, due to end in 2011.

Mr Stevenson said drivers take longer to understand bilingual signs and there is anecdotal evidence some stop or make U-turns on main roads after misreading directions.

But Dr Michael Foxley, the council leader, said drivers who cannot read two lines of directions on a sign should have their licences taken away.

Since 2003 the Scottish Government has been installing bilingual road signs on the A82 Inverness to Fort William road and other ferry routes to the Western Isles and Argyll, including Ullapool, Mallaig, Uig on Skye and Oban.

The council wants ministers to extend this policy on the A9 north of Perth, the A96 east of Inverness and through the centre of the city. It says the signs help enhance the visibility of Gaelic and raise the profile of the language across the region.

Donald Morrison, from the Gaelic development agency Bord na Gaidhlig, said accident statistics did not increase with the introduction of bilingual signs: "There has not been a single accident reported to be caused by a bilingual road sign."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Transport Scotland has a responsibility to evaluate its policies, including bilingual policy, but the minister is clear that he wants any review to be fast tracked and completed as soon as possible.

"He has asked senior officials for advice on accelerating this."