The end for Bell End? Petition launched to change Black Country's saucy street name
It's the Black Country street that is sure to bring a smile to the faces of those with a juvenile sense of humour.
But the infamous Bell End in Rowley Regis could soon be a thing of the past after a petition was launched to change its name.
An anonymous campaigner says residents of the saucily-named street have become a 'laughing stock', with children who live there bullied and teased at school.
A statement accompanying the change.org petition, entitled Bell End Road Name Change, says: "As you may be aware, the term Bell End can be seen and used as a rude and/or a offensive word.
"As well as this, it can affect people and children including children being bullied and teased at school and generally now become a laughing stock as seen very recently on Facebook and other social media sites and it’s time for a change.
"We want the local Sandwell Council to acknowledge our name change request to a new road name and at the very least to a similar name."
The petition suggests changing the street's name to Bell Road.
Bell End – which leads onto Mincing Lane – has become so well known over the years that people have travelled from outside the area to have their picture taken next to its street sign.
Rowley Regis councillor Barbara Price said she could understand residents' concerns and has vowed to meet with council bosses to discuss Bell End.
"If some people find the name offensive and children are being teased about where they live then there is obviously an issue," she said.
"I will be consulting with residents and speaking to the cabinet member in question to see if anything can be done."
But Bell End resident councillor Chris Tranter claims the name should not be changed. He said: “I was born here and lived here for 40 years and it doesn’t bother me. You get the odd giggle on the phone, it is quite amusing really.”
Three years ago the road was placed fourth on a top 15 list for rude-sounding names, behind Minge Lane in Upton-upon-Severn, Slag Lane in Lancashire, and Fanny Hands Lane in Lincolnshire.
At the same time research found that a semi-detached house in Bell End was worth £126,409 – £60,000 cheaper than a similar semi-detached house in nearby Uplands Avenue.
Last night the petition had been signed by 11 people.
