Fed up residents living in a street called BELL END have launched a campaign to have it changed after house prices have plummeted by up to £60,000.
People on the road in Rowley Regis, West Mids., also say children who live on the street have been bullied at school.
Residents also claim the road name puts off house buyers and has led to the area becoming a “laughing stock”.
Juvenile passersby have been known to take selfies by the street sign on Bell End, which leads into Mincing Lane.
The change.org petition, entitled ‘Bell End, Rowley Regis, 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.
“Further to this, it’s one of the rudest road names in England! Feel free to Google and the results will confirm this.
“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 local councillors for the local area will be contacted too.
“‘Bell End’ to ‘Bells Road’?? .. Even this would be sufficient.
“What I need is for YOU to support this request!”
So far, the petition has been signed by just 11 people.
Independent Councillor Barbara Price, who represents the Rowley ward for Sandwell Council, said: “If some people find the name offensive and children are being teased about where they live then there is obviously an issue.
“I will be consulting with residents and speaking to the cabinet member in question to see if anything can be done.”
However, Labour Councillor Chris Tranter, who also represents the Rowley ward, opposes the name change.
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.”
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It was all very funny until I heard a few of the children on the street were being bullied at school.
“It’s not their fault where they live. I think the road name should be changed to something less silly.
“It does concern me that house prices are being undermined as well. I can understand the name might put some people off.”
Three years ago, the road – which has an average property value of £125,500 – was placed in the top 15 list for rude sounding place names.
A study revealed that semi-detached homes on the street sell for £60,000 less than a similar property on nearby Uplands Avenue.
TOP TEN RUDE ROAD NAMES
1.Bell End – Rowley Regis, West Mids
2.Minge Lane – Upton-upon-Severn, Worcs
3.Slag Lane – Lowton, Lancs
4.Fanny Hands Lane – Ludford, Lincs
5.Crotch Crescent – Marston, Oxon
6.The Knob – Kings Sutton, Northants
7.Cock Lane – Farringdon, London
8.Cockshoot Close – Stonesfield, Oxon
