Change name of our street – it’s too rude, say residents
IT MAY have prompted a few childish titters as people walk by.
But those living on Bell End say the name of their street is no laughing matter and want it changed.
They claim the unfortunate label of the road in Rowley Regis, West Midlands, has depressed house prices by as much as £60,000, and has even led to the children who live there being bullied at school.
Some are so fed up they have launched a petition calling on the council to rename it, which states: ‘As you may be aware, the term “Bell End” can be seen and used as a rude and/or an offensive word.’
The petition complains families living along the road have ‘become a laughing stock’ on social media, and adds: ‘ It can affect people ... it’s time for a change.’
The Black Country street can regularly be found on lists of rude place names, and tourists have even travelled to the area just to pose for pictures with the sign.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: ‘It was all very funny until I heard a few of the children on the street were being bullied at school.
‘It’s not their fault where they live. I think the road name should be changed to something less silly.
‘It does concern me that house prices are being undermined as well. I can understand the name might put some people off.’
So far, the petition has been signed by only 29 people, but independent councillor Barbara Price, who represents the Rowley ward on Sandwell Council, has pledged to investigate.
‘If some people find the name offensive and children are being teased about where they live then there is obviously an issue,’ she said. ‘I will be consulting with residents and speaking to the cabinet member in question to see if anything can be done.’
However, Labour councillor Chris Tranter, who also represents the Rowley ward, opposes the name change. He said: ‘I was born here and lived here for 40 years and it doesn’t bother me.
‘You get the odd giggle on the phone, it is quite amusing really.’
According to Roland Burrows, a curator at the Christian Heritage Centre located on the street, the road is named after a former coal mine nearby.
‘I think it’s a great name,’ he said. ‘I’ve never thought of any rude connotations at all.’
And Stephen Young, of Minge Lane, in Worcester – also voted one of the rudest-sounding streets – said the petition to change the road name was ‘a bit silly’ and ‘over the top’.
The 72-year-old said: ‘There has been no plan to change the name of our road.
‘We have had a problem with people nicking the sign but nobody is that fussed about the name ... There are no plans to start a petition, people are happy with the name of the road.’
In 2014, Bell End – which has an average property value of £125,500 – came first in a list of the top rude sounding place names.
A study found semi- detached homes on the street sell for £60,000 less than a similar property on nearby Uplands Avenue.