Plans to introduce bilingual road signs rejected

Jersey's Government won't be following its Welsh counterparts by introducing bilingual road signs because they could cause crashes.

The Chief Minister has published a new plan to promote the island's native language, Jerriais, but it specific falls short of updating road signs "as this could distract motorists who must be able to read and understand a road sign at a glance."

The plan covers seven key areas where the language could be promoted: Government stationery, signage, forms, exhibitions, printed materials, website and social media.

It means when signs on Government buildings and paperwork, such as headed paper, is updated, it will include the bilingual "Government of Jersey" and "Gouvèrnément d'Jèrri' in Jèrriais" branding.

But the new rules fall short of making the whole of the gov.je website bilingual, and social media posts will continue to be written in English unless there's a specific reason to use Jerriais.

Wales introduced bilingual road signs in 1965 though they were made mandatory in 2016, with the Welsh words appearing before the English ones.

Senator Le Fondre has indicated he would like the private sector to follow the Government in doing more to promote Jerriais.