Rule makes Prince Andrew roads name changes easier

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of all his titles earlier this month

A rule change by a council will make it easier to remove road names that honour Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Only two-thirds of residents will need to approve changing Prince Andrew Road and Prince Andrew Close in Maidenhead if proposed by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Previously all residents had to agree.

Many people living on the adjoined streets have been calling for them to be renamed after Andrew was stripped of his title over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.

The two road names might be changed more easily after the councillor's motion

At a council meeting on 18 November, Liberal Democrat councillor Adam Bermange put forward a motion to change the requirement to change a name from unanimous support to "sufficient support".

The motion passed with 31 councillors voting for, and four against. Two abstained.

Many residents welcomed the rule change.

Aman Gandhi, who lives in Prince Andrew Road, said he wants the road renamed quickly.

"It's been a little bit awkward when we talk to people and drop our road name… It's not a name that you want attributed to where you're living," Mr Gandhi said.

"From my perspective, the sooner [the renaming] comes, the better."

Prince Andrew Road resident Aman Gandhi is in favour of a name change

Miles McFadyean, another resident of Prince Andrew Road, agrees.

"I think a lot of people like myself would just go ahead with it, just because it is nice to have it changed," Mr McFadyean.

"If you have the majority vote, then that's that really."

But not all residents are supportive.

Cindy – who has owned her house on Prince Andrew Road since 1997 – said the name change could be more trouble than it would be worth.

"It's been the name of the road for many years. For somebody's actions, I don't feel needs the road to be actually renamed," she said.

"You've got to change all your deeds. Everything has to be changed. And I guess I just feel it's a lot of hassle to do that."

Additional reporting from Elena Chiujdea, Local Democracy Reporting Service