They may be the world’s coolest couple and have headlined the Glastonbury festival – but a bid to name Merton streets after megastars Jay-Z and Beyonce has been knocked back.

The American musicians, who between them have sold 125m albums, have been suggested by residents as the inspiration for new road names in the borough.

But last week, officers at Merton Council revealed the suggestions of Jay-Z Road and Beyonce Road would not be gracing the area’s bus timetables and road maps in the near future.

They said people immortalised in with road names needed to be “locally significant” and have died at least 25 years ago.

Jay-Z – real name Shawn Corey Carter – was a guest at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships this summer, but otherwise the pair have no known link to Merton.

The New York-born rapper has sold about 50m albums and won 13 Grammy awards, part owns a basketball team and has his own clothing brand.

Houston-born singer Beyonce, who rose to fame as a member of pop group Destiny’s Child, has sold 75m albums, earned 16 Grammy awards and appeared in blockbuster films.

The couple married in 2008 and are expecting their first child.

Also in a council list published this week of road names rejected by officers in the last few years was Mighty Boosh – a reference to the cult television comedy series, whose star Noel Fielding grew up in Mitcham.

A spokesman said the council held community consultations to help decide road names at new developments.

The news came as the council announced plans to charge for the registration of road names, as well as the registration of numbers, and sometimes names, for new commercial buildings.

The spokesman said charging for the previously free service – with fees ranging from £100 to £250 – would allow the authority to cover its costs, and brought it into line with most others across the country.

What's in a name?

De Burgh Road, Colliers Wood

  • Named after: Hubert de Burgh
  • Born: circa 1180
  • Occupation: Chief Justiciar to Henry III, effectively ruling England for a spell in the 12th century while the king was a child and young teenager.
  • Link to Merton: Sought sanctuary at Merton Priory after losing favour with the monarch.
  • Famous victory: Defeated French invasion fleet in naval battle off Dover in 1217.
  • Brush with controversy: Held captive at Tower of London and Devizes Castle. Later pardoned.

Sir Cyril Black Way, Wimbledon

  • Named after: Sir Cyril Black
  • Born: 1902
  • Occupation: Conservative politician
  • Link to Merton: Served as MP for Wimbledon for 20 years, and was also mayor of Merton. Member of town’s horticultural and choral societies.
  • Famous victory: Winning Wimbledon seat from Labour control in 1950.
  • Brush with controversy: Staunch social conservative, fought to ban books including Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Last Exit to Brooklyn.

Jay-Z Road?

  • Named after: Shawn Corey Carter
  • Born: 1969
  • Occupation: Rapper, with global album sales of 50m.
  • Link to Merton: Attended 2011 Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
  • Famous victory: Three trophies at 2010 Grammy awards.
  • Brush with controversy: Feuds with fellow musicians including rapper Nas, dance act the Prodigy and Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher.

What names for new roads in Merton would you suggest? Leave a comment below, call 020 8722 6336 or email: cburnett@london.newsquest.co.uk.

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