Call for public to have a say on road names
TworoadsleadingtoSunderland’s new Northern Spire Bridge have been named in tribute to city businessman Sir Tom Cowie and former council leader, Paul Watson.
But Liberal Democrats in the city have called for the public to “have their say” on naming roads in the city, after criticising the lack of council consultation around ‘Paul Watson Way’.
Liberal Democrat group leader on Sunderland City Council (SCC), Niall Hodson, said a policy is needed to allow the public to nominate those who they think should receive a similar honour.
This mechanism, he argued, would be an alternative to “just having Labour councillors deciding behind closed doors to name roads after themselves and their colleagues”.
“Maybe if they were consulted, residents of the city would have backed the council’s plan for naming the new road to the Northern Spire Paul Watson Way, but there has been a lot of anger that no one was even asked about it,” he said.
However, Labour bosses have hit back on the issue, stating SCC already welcal comes and considers suggestions from the public for naming roads.
Deputy leader Michael Mordey said: “These are two men from different ends of the political spectrum who both loved our city (and) left a lasting impression, and so this is a fitting tribute.
“Other roads in our city, such as Keir Hardie Way or more recently St Nazaire Way, or even older names such as Fawcett Street, were named as reflections of lo- or international connections, or our city’s heritage.”
Paul Watson was first elected to the city’s Pallion ward in 1997, served as leader of the city council since 2008 and died at the age of 63 last year.
Cowies Way – on the south side of the Northern Spire – pays tribute to the late Sir Tom Cowie, who was known for building the transport empire which became the Arriva Group.
Other tributes to Sunderland figures include Barton Park housing development in Ryhope – named after wartime hero Cyril Barton in 2000 –and Besford Grove, in Hendon, which pays tribute to local strongman Joseph ‘Samson’ Besford.
A section of the A1290 pays tribute to the first Labour party leader, Keir Hardie.
Millfield councillor, Niall Hodson, speaking on Paul Watson Way, added: “We’ll push for a mechanism for people to be able to make their own suggestions and have their say on any new roads in the city that are to be named after people.”