The DUP have hit out an an MLA from "outside the area" for drawing the Infrastructure Minister's attention to the lack of Irish language signage at Belfast's Grand Central Station.
In a statement posted on the South Belfast DUP Facebook page, the party said that Translink had previously agreed not to introduce Irish signage at the station as it was a "politically totemic issue" and that former Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd had apparently accepted the proposal.
The party also hit out at MLAs who "think they know best" about what the community in Sandy Row need and said that they will "take whatever steps that are available" to make sure that the local communities voices are heard.
"Over the course of the last two years, the South Belfast DUP team had substantial engagement with Translink around the issue of culture and heritage. There was recognition that the removal of the Boyne Bridge was controversial and the need for sensitivity given the station is situated adjacent with Sandy Row," they said.
"With that in mind, Translink agreed not to introduce Irish language signs on a par with English as it is a politically totemic issue. It appeared that had been accepted by the outgoing Minister, and the matter was closed.
"The intervention from a politician outside the area opened the issue up with the new Minister, who announced that the signage would now be changed, the costs estimated at an eye-watering £145,000. Due process was not applied, no public consultation took place and this comes on the back of DFI, it's Minister and Translink ignoring calls to compensate Sandy Row business for loss of trade brought about solely by the inept management of traffic movements associated with the unnecessary removal of the Boyne Bridge.
"While MLA s from outside the area think they know best what the Sandy Row community needs, it is those who are delivering daily for the community left to deal with the issues. The DUP will take whatever steps that are available to it to ensure the local communities' concerns are heard."
This comes as Translink confirmed this afternoon that work on the design of the new signage has halted pending potential legal action.
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