A52 update - from the Derby Evening Telegraph (I don't think they'll mind me reproducing the article here)...
Going your Way Cloughie
By Ross Fraser
Derby County supporters who want to see the road connecting the city with
Nottingham named after Brian Clough could see their wishes become a reality.
The club's supporters organisation, RamsTrust, believes calling the A52
"Brian Clough Way" between the two cities would be a unifying memorial to the legend who guided the Rams and Nottingham Forest to glory.
The fans' group has decided to throw its weight behind the road-naming
campaign, with the Nottingham Forest Supporters Club also voicing its approval.
Now David Gartside, head of traffic at Derby City Council, has said it is
within the council's jurisdiction to change the names of roads within its
boundaries.
Mr Gartside said: "The council, as the highways authority, is responsible
for naming and numbering streets and roads, so it is eminently possible. Some of the A52 is named, but names such as the Borrowash bypass aren't exactly catchy.
"We don't normally name roads after people but Brian Clough obviously had a
particular status here in Derby.
"Certainly it would mean something to people in Derby and Nottingham.
"I've just got a personal concern that Brian Clough's name would be wasted
on the A52. People from other parts of the country would still just think that
they were on the A52 dual carriageway.
"But I'm not ruling it out. If supporters want to write in with suggestions
then they can do so."
Hull is one city where the authorities made the decision to name a road
after a sporting legend. In October 1985, Humberside County Council decided that Hull's new South Orbital Road should be named Clive Sullivan Way, in the same week the rugby league star died.
Derby County club spokesman Damon Parkin said the city should wait until the Clough family had enough time to mourn before any decision was made.
Mr Parkin said: "We feel that the family should have time to mourn Brian and
reflect. As a club we feel that we need to take a step back from deciding on
anything like this, out of respect to the Clough family, until after the
memorial service has taken place.
"However, on Saturday we will celebrate his memory. There will be a special
programme, the players will wear black armbands, and there will be a minute's silence before the game takes place.
"The flatscreen televisions all around the stadium concourse will replay his
finest moments."
Mr Gartside said the city council would need to consult with other councils
whose boundaries the A52 crossed before a decision was made.
A spokesman for Broxtowe Borough Council said its leader, Councillor Milan
Radulovic, believed renaming the A52 was an excellent idea.
Councillor Michael Edwards, deputy leader of Nottingham City Council, said
it was too early to say what kind of memorial would be appropriate, but
suggested it was time the two cities started to unite and Brian Clough could be a symbol of that unity.
