Plans for all new street names in Cardiff to be in Welsh only

The names would be based on the history and heritage of the area

New streets in Cardiff could be given names in Welsh only under new plans.

Cardiff council said it is keen for new streets and future developments in the capital to be given names that reflect local heritage.

The plans were first announced last year and council officials will make a decision whether to adopt the scheme at a meeting next month.

A consultation was held over six weeks between January and March this year. The responses will now be considered by the council's cabinet in September.

Mabli Siriol, from Welsh language group Cymdeithas yr Iaith, welcomed the idea. She said: "It would give a boost to the status and use of the language in the city."

But 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 said: "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."

Writing on social media, Marc Cranfield-Adams said: "Queen Street will always be Queen Street to a Cardiffian like me, just as St Mary Street will remain just that.

"The idea that the overwhelmingly English speaking Cardiffians will use the Welsh language equivalent is for the fairies!"

But Owen Williams described Cardiff as a melting pot of multiculturalism. He wrote on Twitter: "If Cardiff doesn't embrace Wales' unique national language, who will?

"A really significant move from Cardiff Council to cement the Welsh language into the city’s bedrock."

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