Anti-smoking campaigners try to stub out naming a road after former tobacco factory

• Campaigners hit out at a decision to name a Bristol road after a cigarette brand
• The street on a new estate in south Bristol is set to be called ‘Navy Cut Road’
• It honours a product made at the site’s former Imperial Group tobacco factory
• But Bristol City Council is facing pressure from Action on Smoking and Health

Anti-smoking campaigners have hit out at a decision to name a Bristol road after a cigarette brand.

The street, on a new housing development in south Bristol, is set to be called ‘Navy Cut Road’ in honour of a product made at the site’s former Imperial Group tobacco factory.

However, the Mayor’s Office is now reviewing the decision after Bristol City Council faced pressure from Action on Smoking and Health.

The name came about after Tory councillor Richard Eddy asked Curo housing association for something ‘gritty’ to reflect the location’s industrial heritage when they tried to name it after a nearby ancient woodland.

 The street, on a new housing development in south Bristol, is set to be called ‘Navy Cut Road’ in honour of a product made at the site’s former Imperial Group tobacco factory

Mr Eddy supports the new name, but Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) wants it changed.

Deborah Arnott, ASH chief executive, told the BBC: ‘While it may be legal it is still morally unacceptable.’

And a Cancer Research UK spokesperson said: ‘While we understand that councils are often keen to acknowledge local heritage when naming roads, celebrating a tobacco brand in this way isn’t the most helpful message to give out especially to children and young people.’

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