New name to stop sat-nav drivers

Satellite navigation devices have become increasingly popular

A cul-de-sac in Bournemouth is to be renamed because cars and lorries following satellite navigation systems keep getting directed down it.

Residents in Holdenhurst Road said their village green has been churned up by vehicles turning round after following directions into the dead-end.

The problem started when the road was split into two parts, turning one of the sections into a cul-de-sac.

Bournemouth council will unveil the new Holdenhurst Village Road on 1 June.

'Minimal costs'

Wendy Sharp, of the Holdenhurst Village Action Group, said: "People looking at their sat-navs are being sent from the beginning of Holdenhurst Road down here and they all come through the no-through road sign.

"Children playing on the green are risking life and limb as the cars slide around and speed out of here because they're now late.

"On one occasion, a lorry got completely stuck. He was in an absolutely massive lorry and just couldn't turn round. I had to get my husband to help him.

"He took out large chunks of village green trying to turn round and caused quite a lot of damage."

The council said it granted permission after consulting with Royal Mail and the emergency services who have since updated their systems.

James Duncan, transportation manager for the council, said: "The residents were keen not to lose the name of the road completely so it was decided to rename it Holdenhurst Village Road.

"We are also contacting all the main sat-nav companies to ask that they make updates to their systems as soon as possible."

The council said it only spent minimal administration costs on the renaming.

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