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Street Names

Responsibility for street nameplates

Thurrock Council is responsible for ensuring that street nameplates are provided and fitted in suitable positions.

It is important, as we travel further from our local area, that we can find where we are and where we want to go quickly and efficiently. Most importantly it is vital in the event of an urgent situation that the Emergency Services can locate you and your street quickly.

The Council is also responsible for repair and maintenance of street nameplates when this becomes necessary either due to accidental damage, vandalism or normal wear and tear.

In the case of a new development however, the developer is responsible for the erection of nameplates to the Council's specification.

To report damaged, missing or illegible street names plates please contact us at: 01375 366100

For further information, please see our Street Naming, Numbering and Signing Procedures.

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Street naming

In accordance with Sections 17, 18 & 19 of the Public Health Act 1925 and Sections 64 & 65 of the Town Improvement Clauses Act 1847, authorities are responsible for:

• the naming and numbering of new streets, properties and developments;
• changes to the names and numbers of existing properties; and
• the erection and replacement of street names and signs.

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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:

• Engineering & Transportation, Thurrock Council, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays. RM17 6SL.
• Telephone: 01375 366100
• Email: highways@thurrock.gov.uk

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.

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Postcodes

Thurrock 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 Management Centre, Castle Foregate, SHREWSBURY, SY1 1AA
• Telephone: 0845 604 5060
• Fax: 0845 605 4433

Searches for postcodes can also be carried out on the Royal Mail website.

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New streets and developments

Thurrock 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 include 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 (e.g. 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 borough.
• Street names should not be difficult to pronounce, awkward to spell or open to misinterpretation.

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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 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:

• Telephone: 01375 366100
• Email: highways@thurrock.gov.uk

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Street nameplates

• When a new road is built, the responsibility for erection and replacement of street nameplates lies with the developer until the Highway Authority has adopted the road. The responsibility for the maintenance and renewal of nameplates then transfers to the Council. The street nameplate should be manufactured to the Council's specification

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.

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