Monday 5 October 2020

Mixed response to proposal to rename section of Meadow Garth after Neasden Temple founder

Brentfield School Nursery entrance - the main school entrance is the other side of the barrier

The Mandir on the left - Meadow Garth section that could be renamed ahead

The Cabinet next week will decided whether to agree to rename a section of Meadow Garth in Neasden after the founder of the Neasden Temple (BAPs Swaminarayan Mandir) Pramukh Swami, the spiritual leader of the Swaminarayan sect until his death in 2016.

He inaugurated the Mandir in 1995 and the 20th anniversary was celebrated in 2015.

 

The proposal is to rename the section of Meadow Garth from Brentfield Road to the barrier (see first photograph) 'Pramukh Swami Road.'

Brentfield Primary School objects because the proposal splits the site with the nursery entrance in Pramukh Swami Road and the main entrance in the retained section of Meadow Garth. They point out that the school has recently rebranded with the Meadow Garth address and in addition say that  the change does not reflect 'our community or th school community.'

The change is strongly supported by several residents in the affected section of Meadow Garth but other residents object on ground of the inconvenience, stress and expense that will be caused.

The London Fire Emergency and Planning Authority (LFEPA) object:

The proposed name is not the easiest to pronounce and could be received wrongly during call handling. It is always better to act on the side of precaution when choosing street or building names to minimise the risk of delay when attending an incident. We do object to the renaming of part of 'Meadow Garth Road' as it currently doesn't present any issues for us in terms of locating this address. The guideline states that renaming/renumbering existing streets and buildings is normally only considered when changes occur which give rise to problems for the occupiers, post office, emergency services etc.

This was later qualified by the LFEPA Borough Commander who said that this was advice from the national guidelines, 'but you are free to make any decision you wish.'

The officers say the Cabinet should take the objection seriously as delays of a few minutes in response times can have serious life consequences for firefighters and residents.

On the cultural and visitor attraction aspects the report states:

The Temple is an important asset to Brent, both for residents and as a visitor attraction; it provides valued facilities to many residents and visitors. Although the rationale for applying for the name change has not been clearly set out in the application, it is important to recognise the desire of the Temple to have a street presence which reflects its culture and that of its thousands of attendees and visitors.

 The report leaves the Cabinet to make a 'finely balance' decision:

Clearly the statutory responders and the school are not in favour of the name change along with some residents of Meadow Garth. On balance this would often lead to a rejection of the name change. However, given the need to reflect diversity in the borough and the significance of the Temple to the life of the Borough, Cabinet may well decide that this is a change which they would wish to support.

 



  1.  

5 comments:

Philip Grant said...

While I intend no disrespect to the Neasden Mandir or its late spiritual leader, the proposed name should not be adopted. It is too complicated a name for use by the emergency services.

Martin has quoted the objection to the proposal by the LFEPA, and their firm advice is that street names should not be more than three syllables long before the "Road", "Street" etc part of the name.

Three years ago, I wrote about this in an article about a road in Wembley Park.
https://wembleymatters.blogspot.com/2017/10/of-little-word-makes-big-difference.html

Quintain had proposed the name Palace of Arts Way, to commemorate the British Empire Exhibition building that had been on that site. Brent rejected their request, on the basis that the name had too many syllables, so they took out the "of", and named the street Palace Arts Way.

On that basis, if Brent is to be seen to be consistent, the current proposed name should be rejected. If part of Meadow Garth is to be renamed, the proposers should think again, and come back with a name which complies with the Fire and Emergency service rules.

Anonymous said...

Whats wrong with Temple Road, if they have to change it?
It's not like you can miss it, driving by.

Anonymous said...

Thirty years ago there was an an attempt to rename Ealing Road in Wembley.
That also failed.

Anonymous said...

Isn’t a solution to call it Pramukh Road. Two syllables.

Anonymous said...

If there is an emergency irrespective of the ne of the road, the caller would state "xxxxxx needed at/across/by the neasden temple". I don't see the issue in the renaming part of the road.