CORNWALL Council has launched a bid to introduce the Cornish language to road signs across the Duchy.

The body has written to the Department for Transport asking for Cornish translations to be included on the region’s road signs.

In the 1970s new legislation was introduced which saw the inclusion of Welsh on road signs across Wales. It came in response to the language’s steady decline, and the government’s introduction of Welsh road signs with English substitutes, even resulting in members of Plaid Cymru painting over the English signs with green paint. However, by 1967 the government created a Welsh office that would place the Welsh language on par with English - eventually resulting in the installation of Welsh road signs.

Now, having been given the same protection as all other Celtic languages recognised across the British Isles - Welsh included - the council is hoping that Cornwall’s roads can look much the same as those to the north.

Councillor Dan Rogerson, cabinet member responsible for Transport at Cornwall Council said: “I would like to see highways signage gradually become bilingual with signs being replaced over time, as we have done with street name signs.

“I have written to the Department for Transport asking them to grant us that power, given the new status that Cornish has been given.”

Councillor Sarah Preece, cabinet member for Culture at Cornwall Council, added: “Cornwall is extremely fortunate to have its own living Celtic language, which is such an important part of our heritage and identity.

“The Cornish language is now recognised under Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, giving Kernewek the same level of protection as all the other Celtic languages recognised across the British Isles.

“It seems only fair and proper that we should be able to include the Cornish language on Cornish road signs.”