A PETITION that a DUP MP organised to controversially call for the re-naming of a new Glider bus stop was never sent to transport chiefs.
Emma Little-Pengelly faced accusations of 'sectarianising' the east Belfast halt after voicing "serious concerns" over the summer about its name 'Short Strand', a mainly nationalist area.
The South Belfast MP wrote to residents in July saying it "does not reflect either the area or the history of the area" and she would be starting a petition.
But three months on from the dispute, transport officials say they have not received any petition about the bus stop's name.
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"We have not received a petition regarding Short Strand Glider halt," a Translink spokeswoman said.
A Department for Infrastructure (DfI) spokeswoman said: "The department has not received a petition in relation to the name of the Glider stop at Short Strand. No meetings have taken place on this issue."
The DUP did not respond to requests for a comment when asked what happened to the petition about the city-bound Albertbridge Road bus halt.
In February, Translink explained to Ms Pengelly that inbound and outbound halts are named in pairs, and the new Glider halt had simply replaced a previous Metro stop of the same name.
But five months later her office wrote to Stormont officials seeking a meeting about the "re-naming of Albertbridge halt to Short Strand", citing the "sensitivities this has caused in the neighbourhood".
Ms Pengelly also wrote to residents saying she was liaising with DUP East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson to request a joint meeting with transport chiefs.
Following criticism online, Ms Pengelly insisted it was "not a sectarian issue at all" and said she was merely responding to the concerns of a constituent who had contacted her.
Some weeks ago, internal Translink emails uncovered by The Irish News through Freedom of Information requests revealed that officials understood Mr Robinson had "made it clear" he would "not be pursuing" the matter.
An employee wrote: "I haven't received any correspondence direct from MLAs on the matter. DfI did receive correspondence and replied offering to meet but it wasn't taken up.
"I also understand that Gavin Robinson has made it clear, as MP for the area, that he will not be pursuing it."
The correspondence also showed Translink received just one letter from a member of the public about the bus stop's name.
Previously disclosed emails show how Transport officials were also lobbied by two unionist councillors.
The DUP's George Dorrian had urged officials to meet with him and PUP councillor John Kyle to discuss "very real and genuine concerns" about the halt being called 'Short Strand'.
