Decision Made To Change Name of Southall Street
Part of Havelock Road to now be called Guru Nanak Road
Sri Guru Singh Sabha on Havelock Road. Picture: Google Streetview
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Ealing Council has confirmed its intention to rename part of Havelock Road in Southall as Guru Nanak Road.
The section of the road to be renamed lies between King Street and Merrick Road and includes the location of the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall. Guru Nanak is the founder of Sikhism.
Havelock Road is named after General Sir Henry Havelock who died in 1857 during the Indian Rebellion. He has no association in with the slave trade and there is still a street in Lucknow, where he fought three battles, named after him. There is also a statue of him in Trafalgar Square which was placed there after money was raised through public subscription. While he was Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone suggested that his statue should be replaced by that of someone ‘more relevant’.
Consultation took place with residents and businesses directly impacted by the change, the Royal Mail and the emergency services.
An earlier informal consultation showed that residents of Havelock Road were evenly split on the issue but there was a small majority in favour of the change from non-residents.
The council says that decision to make the change is also being taken in accordance with the Street Naming Protocol which confirms that any change proposal should ‘respect and balance cultural and historical identities, sensitivities, and heritage’.
The name change will come into effect early in 2021 and the council will be writing to households, businesses and organisations impacted in advance of the change.
Councillor Kamaljit Dhindsa, cabinet member for business and community services said, “I welcome this change. Ealing’s diversity is our strength and we have to make sure that the places we live reflect that diversity through our street names and buildings.”
The council has also put in place an equality commission which will report back to the council by May 2021 with a review of all structural inequalities in Ealing.
Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council said: “Ealing’s independent equality commission will explore what residents and businesses believe can be done to reduce inequality while improving outcomes. It will look at education, employment, crime and justice, health and housing, among others. The renaming of one of Ealing’s roads reflects the importance of celebrating the borough’s diversity.”
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November 26, 2020
