Thousands of people choose an option to name Melton's new partial bypass
Thousands of people have responded to the county council’s engagement to name Melton’s new partial bypass ahead of its opening to traffic later this month.
No definitive date has so far been given for the North East Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (NEMMDR) to open but Leicestershire County Council highways say it will be some time in May after the impact of poor weather on the construction work set back the aim of opening around Easter.
And last month the county council gave residents a say in what the road will be called, with a shortlist of nine names given as options in a public engagement exercise.
Deadline for people to select an option is midnight on Tuesday (May 5) – an online page is available to choose one and County Hall has also staged in-person events for locals to select their favourite.
A county council spokesperson told the Melton Times this afternoon (Friday): “As of today, we’ve had 3,538 responses to the online survey and we gathered around 300 responses through in-person activities.”
Options for the name of the NEMMDR are: Pork Pie Way; River Eye Road; Wreake Road; Lazars Way; Wolds Way; Farrier Way; Victory Road; Military Way; Veteran Road.
These were all drawn up council officials, liaising with local councillors and partners.
They are aimed at reflecting the town’s history and character and all meet the council’s rules and guidelines for street naming.
County council representatives visited students and staff at the town’s John Ferneley College to talk about the road and the process of naming it.
This is why the various options were chosen:
Pork Pie Way – reflects Melton Mowbray’s long standing national reputation as the home of the famous Melton Mowbray pork pie.
River Eye Road – comes from the River Eye which runs through Melton Mowbray and is an important local natural feature.
Wreake Road – taken from the River Wreake which flows close to Melton Mowbray and has shaped the local area over time.
Lazars Way – refers to nearby Burton Lazars which takes its name from the medieval Knights of St Lazarus, who had a significant historical presence in the area.
Wolds Way – refers to the nearby Wolds landscape reflecting the town’s rural setting and connections to the surrounding countryside.
Farrier Way – Farriers trained at the Melton Mowbray Defence Animal Training Regiment care for horses.
Victory Road – recognises Melton Mowbray’s historic links to national moments of victory and remembrance.
Military Way – reflects Melton Mowbray’s strong and long established links with the Armed Forces.
Veteran Road – recognises the contribution of veterans and highlights Melton Mowbray’s continuing military connections.
The name that receives the most votes will be used when formally naming the new road.
Once the poll has closed and the name is official, the council will confirm the chosen name. Street name signs will be installed as part of the usual process.
Go online at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/have-your-say/current-engagement/naming-the-north-and-east-melton-mowbray-distributor-road to make your selection.
You have until midnight on Tuesday May 5 to cast your vote.