A group of councillors are urging the council to bend the rules as they look to name a road after the late MP Malcolm Wicks.

Councillors from the Labour group want to rename a new access road in Upper Norwood which serves five new houses and six new flats.

The group wants to rename the road Malcolm Wicks Way but have been told by the council it is procedure not to name streets after living or recently deceased people.

They were told by a council officer that they would be unable to use the name Malcolm Wicks or Wicks at the present time.

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Cllr Newman and Cllr Lawlor 

A council spokesman later said each case it looked on its own merits and would require consultation with everyone involved in the proposal, including the developers of the new houses.

South Norwood Councillor Wayne Lawlor, said it was a daft decision and said he hoped the council would see sense and name the new road after Malcolm Wicks.

Mr Wicks died aged 65 in September 2012 after losing his battle with cancer. He had served the people of Croydon North since 1997. 

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Malcolm Wicks 

Coun Lawlor said: "I'm not entirely sure how renaming this road after Malcolm would cause controversy.

"Many streets are named after Councillors, for example Burgos Close in Waddon is named after councillor Vic Burgos.

"Many former Mayors have roads named after them. I would be interested to know when this rule was applied, and why.

"As I understand it, not one room in Bernard Weatherill House is named after Malcolm Wicks. I think Malcolm would have been very humbled and honoured by this proposal.

"If you ask local people if they support our proposal, you will find overwhelming support."

Croydon’s labour leader Coun Tony Newman said the proposal should be an exception to the rule and said the contribution Malcolm Wicks gave to Croydon North was immeasurable helping thousands of families whilst serving as an MP.

A spokesman for the council said: "As in many local authorities it’s not common practice to name roads after recently deceased local people.

"However this is not a formal policy and each case is looked at on its own merits, which is why we are currently consulting with everyone concerned to see if this proposal has general support."


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