Bid to change name of Plymouth's longest road ends in failure
A CONTROVERSIAL campaign aimed at changing the name of Plymouth's longest road has failed.
Resident Rob Fenton divided opinion among his neighbours by asking the council to rename a historic stretch of Wolseley Road.
Mr Fenton, who lives at its northern end, distributed letters calling for people to back his proposals to give the section between Saltash Passage and St Budeaux a new name, reflecting its history as the former home of the Plymouth-Torpoint ferry link.
The council sent letters to 212 households – each of which would be asked to stump up £50 to pay for the change – asking their views.
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But the local authority has now closed consultation early after residents gave the idea a resounding "no" vote.
A Plymouth City Council spokesman said of 125 responses sent back so far, only 23 backed a name change.
A public meeting due to take place last night was cancelled, and disappointed Mr Fenton has admitted defeat.
"It's a shame because people were starting to change their minds," he said.
"I thought this could be the foundation to really building up change in the area.
"Unfortunately, it turned into a 'them and us' situation."
Wolseley Road stretches all the way from Milehouse, a few hundred metres from the city centre, through North Prospect, Camels Head and St Budeaux, to the very north west of Plymouth.
The final section, which appears separate thanks to tweaks to the road layout, has long been known locally as Saltash Passage, and snakes all the way to the shadow of the Tamar Bridge.
Mr Fenton said he believed a name change would enhance that part's reputation and attract more visitors.
But he said many people had rejected the idea before hearing his side of the argument.
"I'm very disappointed," Mr Fenton added. "I truly believe it would have been a good thing for the area."
The council's Cabinet member for finance, Councillor Mark Lowry, said: "The council's new administration does not believe this exercise was a good use of the council's resources. We will be reviewing the way the council carries out street naming and numbering and ensuring councillors elected to represent their local communities are fully involved in future."
Comments
by Miss_Wolseley
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 11:49PM
“Good! Thank you to everyone else who voted no!
The name is fine as it is, there is no point directing people to somewhere where there was a ferry but isn't any more!”
by Milo_Openseas
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 11:26PM
“So, this cost the council about £10k in admin fees to send all the letters out (at about £25 per letter). It's good to see the council tax being put to good use.
Whatever had happened, it would still be the St. Budeaux / Barne Barton high insurance area, as the post code would still be the same. The only way to try and change that is to go to a local broker for insurance.”
by MartinBenbow
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 9:22PM
“Ah, Cllr Lowry AKA Babcock Marine Director for the incinerator project. So used to dumping on us!”
by marc1964
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 7:12PM
“Oh well still part of the budeaux Barne barton high home insurance area. Just put your burnt out car in the road and you will fit right in .”
by DoWhatNow
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 1:54PM
“@SeepyBee - sort of agree with you, as the ferry went from Plymouth to Saltash, not Torpoint, but there was a ferry there - just the usual slack Herald reporting again.”
by pooshooter7
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 1:40PM
“UNLUCKY now get on with your sad life Mr Fenton”
by plymouthpip
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 12:47PM
“tazzidevil123 - It DOES go through North Prospect. From Lidl on the corner of Henderson Place to the camels head traffic lights, the properties on your right hand side are classed as Wolseley Road, North Prospect. Silly”
by SeepyBee
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 11:35AM
“*reflecting its history as the former home of the Plymouth-Torpoint ferry link*
Eh?
It has nothing to do with the Torpoint Ferry!”
by BenBrah
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 11:24AM
“Damn hasn't Mr Fenton got anything better to do?”
by whinger7643
Tuesday, June 26 2012, 10:24AM
“GOOD”