Up your street! Residents to get a vote over road name changes

Local residents are to be given the final say on changes to the name of their street under new government plans.

The government has launched a technical consultation setting out plans to ensure councils in England get approval from local residents before they change street names.

Changing a street name can have significant practical costs for residents and businesses which then have to change their address with banks, shops, utilities and on official documents.

Currently, many councils can change the name of a given street without consulting residents. 

Consent from local residents has been a legal requirement in the past, but has been ‘disapplied’ in many areas so the government believes the law needs updating so it is consistent across England.

The current system relies upon three Acts which date from the early 20th century and create nationally inconsistent and unclear procedures for changing street names. 

Under the existing legislation, many local authorities have the power to change the name of a given street without engaging residents or businesses on that street. 

The government is considering the case for modernising these multiple and dated Acts by replacing them with a single clear requirement for a residents’ vote on any changes to street names based on the principles set out in 1907 legislation.

Housing minister Stuart Andrew says: “Up and down the country, street names often form a key part of an area’s history, cherished by the local community for the memories they hold and the places they represent.

“These proposals will strengthen local democracy by ensuring that councils in England get agreement from local residents in advance of any street name changes.”

The consultation period will run until 22 May.

• Read and respond to the consultation.