A dual carriageway which runs through Nottingham has been renamed in honour of British service personnel killed in combat in Afghanistan.
With A453 coincidentally echoing the number of members of the armed forces who died in Afghanistan, the major road will now be known as Remembrance Way.
The renaming was proposed by the family of warrant officer, Sean Upton, who died in Afghanistan in 2009 when a roadside bomb exploded.
There has been a lot of debate surrounding what to name the road, with Heroes Way, Bastion Way, Hope Way and Helmand Way among the suggestions made.
Cllr Richard Butler, portfolio holder for sustainability for Rushcliffe Borough Council, spoke to Notts TV about the road’s new name.
Video: Councillor Richard Butler talking to Notts TV.
The suggestion for the Remembrance Way name was first put forward in October 2015 by 64-year-old campaigner, Dougie Pullen, who served as an army reservist for 30 years before retiring in 2008.
He came up with the idea after hearing a report about the widening of the road on BBC Radio Nottinghamshire.
Dougie told Notts TV: “I was listening to a news programme when the announcement was made that the British forces would be pulling out of Afghanistan and later in the same news there was talk about the A453, which happened to be the same number of lives that had been lost in Afghanistan.
“I’m delighted the three councils got together and agreed that it was something that could be done and worked very hard and very quickly to get it done.”
Councillor Butler added that the suggestion of the name Heroes Way made some uncomfortable with being referred to as a hero.
Video: Cllr Butler telling Notts TV about the road’s renaming options.
The chosen name has been received well by people, with many sharing their views on Notts TV’s Facebook page.
One user, Mary Deane, said: “When you drive down Remembrance Way you can remember who or what you want, in the way that you choose. That’s why I think the name is the best choice.”
Although the name has been welcomed by many, some think the renaming of a road is not enough to honour the British armed forces.
Facebook user, Giles Rocholl, said: “How about honouring them by improving the conditions for all our armed forces? Oh sorry that would take cash.”
Despite some negative feedback on social media, chairman of Nottinghamshire’s Royal British Legion, Andrew Gregory, said the legion fully supports the project.
He said: “I think everyone at the Royal British Legion supports the renaming, even if it might not be everyone’s preference.
“We think it is a fantastic project to remember those who were lost.”
The road renaming follows in the footsteps of the A52 Derby Road, which connects Nottingham to Derby, after it was renamed to Brian Clough Way in 2005.
There’s a new future for the A453.
Cllr Butler, Rushcliffe Borough Council
