Mark Drakeford has said it is “no different” if interactive warning signs on the M4 are written only in Welsh rather than bilingually. In October, a question was put to Mr Drakeford, the Welsh language minister, about variable signs on the M4 only displaying message in Welsh.
Mr Drakeford replied to Conservative MS Natasha Asghar’s question about variable message signs on the M4 being only written in Welsh as being most likely an “urban myth”. You can read that here.
She said while she wanted the Welsh language supported it was “really, really important, where safety applies, to make sure that both English and Welsh are clearly presented and accessible for everyone”. “I have been made aware by multiple constituents that variable-speed message signs across the M4 that display messages concerning emergency warnings for queues ahead, poor driving conditions, or to slow down due to an accident that has just taken place have only been available in Welsh and are, therefore, difficult to understand for many heavy-goods vehicle drivers travelling to Wales from abroad, tourists and residents who are not confident with Welsh or do not, indeed, speak it at all.”
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Mr Drakeford told her: “Great efforts are made, of course, to make sure that signs are available in both Welsh and English. I imagine that the occasions when people are only able to see a Welsh-language warning are pretty small. There are signs, of course, that show things in English and then in Welsh, and then in English and then in Welsh, and that’s a perfectly understandable way of going about it. If the member wants to write to me with actual instances of the problem of course I will look into them but it has the sound of an urban myth to me. It’s not the first time I’ve heard this and every time I’ve looked at it it turns out to be not the sort of problem that has been proposed.” For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Ms Asghar raised the issue again today (Wednesday, December 11) in the Senedd saying she had since received letters detailing examples from motorists but also confirmation from a Welsh Government official that there are occasions signs in only one language. The letter read: “Due to the limited number of characters available on Variable Message Signs (VMS), it is sometimes necessary to display information in Welsh, closely followed by the same message in English. Sometimes this is not always possible due to lack of additional signs between motorway junctions or some signs may have faults on them. Many of the variable message signs on the M4 are beyond their working life and spares are no longer available. The defective signs have been programmed for replacement subject to funding being made available. Officials and our Trunk Road Agent regularly review all possible options to ensure that emergency messages can be displayed in both Welsh and English.”
Mr Drakeford, who holds responsibility for the Welsh language, replied: “It is no different for me whether somebody who would prefer to get their information in the Welsh language has to rely entirely on an English road sign than it is if somebody who prefers to get their information in English sees a sign in Welsh. Both languages are of equal status and equal value here in Wales. And I don’t agree with what I continue to believe to be the thrust behind her question—that, somehow, it’s more important to have a sign in English than it is to have one in Welsh.”