Confusion over new house numbering

9:42pm Monday 23rd June 2008

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Bungling council chiefs have labelled new houses with the same set of numbers already in use on the opposite side of the street.

People living in Little Western Street, Brighton, say the new houses, which are numbered the same as theirs, will inevitably lead to confusion from delivery drivers, postmen and visitors.

The only thing that would differentiate between the houses would be the postcodes as one side is in Brighton and the other side in Hove.

Resident Lucy Tammar, 34, said: "The first we heard about it was ten days ago when our next door neighbour came round and said 'Have you seen the numbers over the road?' "I can see it being a nightmare."

Builders working on the new block of houses have already been sent to the wrong property and last week a lorry blocked the road as its driver figured out which side of the street he needed.

Resident Michael Cotton has written to Brighton and Hove City Council's chief executive Alan McCarthy as he tries to get the situation addressed.

In the letter he says: "The situation will inevitably lead to a good deal of confusion to the Post Office, delivery companies, service providers and visitors. It is likely to lead to a risk of documents being delivered to the wrong address, with all the resulting inconvenience and dangers of identity theft and financial loss."

The letter also stated: "The street naming team's decision seems to defy all common sense. It has been taken without consulting or notifying existing residents, is in contravention of the council's own guidance on street numbering and is, we would suggest, unreasonable."

Alex Greenhill, 20, has lived in one of the new houses for about a week. She said: "We've already had a problem with a delivery guy. It's very strange."

Councillor Paul Elgood, who has also been contacted by residents, said: "The council has gone mad - loopy.

"One side of the road has been developed into separate houses. They're going to number them the same on both sides.

"One side will be Little Western Street, Hove, while the other side would be Little Western Street, Brighton.

"It's absurd, bureaucracy gone mad. What they need to do is use a bit of common sense and start numbering in order.

"It's the blindingly obvious way forward, otherwise we'll have a lifetime of confusion."

A spokeswoman for the Royal Mail said as far as the company was concerned there is no confusion with the street and that all letters should reach the correct address because of the differing postcodes.

She said: "Local councils always consult with Royal Mail when asking for a postcode for a new address and we would always ensure there is no confusion."

A council spokeswoman confirmed the authority was investigating the problem.

Is there a confusing numbering system in your street? Call the newsdesk on 01273 544512 or leave your comments below.