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Street naming

In accordance with the Public Health Act 1925 and Sections 17, 18 & 19 of the Town Improvement Clauses Act 1847, Local Authorities are responsible for naming and numbering new streets/properties/developments; changes to and allocation of house names and numbers to existing properties and the erection and replacement of street name signs.

Property Names

Any property owner can name their property, as long as the name chosen does not conflict with an existing property name in that locality.

Please note that if your property has a house number, it will not be possible to replace the number with a name. However, a name can be used in conjunction with the original number.

Property owners are asked to put their request in writing detailing the existing address and two suggested names, accompanied by a location plan, to:

GIS Manager, Bridgnorth District Council, Westgate, Bridgnorth, WV16 5AA

email gis@bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk

or request street naming and numbering online.

On receiving your request, we will contact Royal Mail to ensure that they have no objections such as the name being duplicated or similar to another in the area.

If Royal Mail do not object, the Council will inform the applicant and other interested parties of the name change. In the event of an objection from Royal Mail, the applicant will be required to provide alternative names.

Postcodes

Bridgnorth District Council is not responsible for issuing new postcodes, this is the responsibility of Royal Mail. Royal Mail, however, will not issue a postcode for a new street or property until requested to do so by the Council.

Postcodes for commercial premises are allocated in the same way as residential premises, but a large company or business can apply to Royal Mail for its own code - known as a large user code. Application for a large user code is the responsibility of the user, as they will know what volume of mail they generate.

Enquiries about postcodes can be dealt with direct at:

Royal Mail Address Development Team, Admiral House, 2 Admiral Way, Doxford International Business Park, Sunderland, SR3 3XW
email: addressdevelopment@royalmail.com.
Searches for postcodes can also be carried out on the Royal Mail Website: www.royalmail.com/portal/rm

New Streets and Developments

Bridgnorth District Council should be approached at an early stage regarding the naming and where applicable numbering of a new street or development. Royal Mail and Town and Parish Councils are consulted and if no objection is received, the applicant will be informed that the new street name has been authorised.

• A new street should be numbered with even numbers on one side and odd numbers on the other. When entering the street, odd numbers are on the left and even on the right. For through roads, number from the access to the street from the higher category approach road or from the access nearest the centre of the town or village.
• The number 13 is to be used in the proper sequence.
• Buildings (including those on corner sites) should be numbered according to the street in which the main entrance is located.
• A named building may not have more than one number in a street.
• The use of numbers followed by letters should be used where, for instance, one large house is demolished and replaced by several houses. To incude the new houses in the existing numbering sequence would involve renumbering all the higher numbered houses.
• All properties in a street should be numbered. There may, however, be occasions (eg isolated houses in rural areas; barn conversions etc) where a name is more appropriate than a number.
• New street names should not duplicate any similar name already in use in the District.
• Street names should not be difficult to pronounce, awkward to spell or open to misinterpretation.

Renaming or Renumbering of Streets or Properties

Requests for renaming or renumbering streets or properties will only be considered where over 50% of the householders affected have signed up to the request.

Following a valid request, the Parish Council, Royal Mail and all householders affected are consulted to ensure there are no objections.

Section 18 Public Health Act 1925 empowers Local Authorities to rename a street. Notice is posted on site and an aggrieved person may appeal to the courts.

For naming and numbering enquiries please telephone 01746 713257 or email gis@bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk

Street Nameplates

When a new road is built, the responsibility for erection and replacement of street nameplates lies with the developer until the road has been adopted by the Highway Authority. The responsibility for the maintenance and renewal of nameplates then transfers to the District Council. The street nameplate specification is as follows:

• Street nameplates should be made of 11 gauge aluminium, 150mm deep fixed on 150 x 25mm wooden backboard
• The supports can be either 50mm diameter galvanised steel posts painted black or 75 x 75mm oak posts.
• The top of the sign is to be fixed level at a height of 762mm above ground level.

Signs will normally be erected in the footpath immediately in front of the back edging kerb, but the actual siting and the numbers of signs to be provided will require prior agreement with the Local Authority.

Maintenance of Street Nameplates

The Council will repair or replace damaged street nameplates. Please telephone 01746 713125 to report damaged nameplates.