THE decision to honour the late Queen Elizabeth by renaming a Wellington road after her has overcome the final speed bump.

Four years since the initial proposal, Wellington Town Council has received confirmation that the proposed change of Taunton Road to Queen Elizabeth Way has been given the seal of approval by enough properties along the B3187.

Already having achieved cabinet approval by the government, the decision to rename the road initially required two thirds approval from those that live along it to progress. A change in regulations then meant agreement of residents on Taunton Road was increased to 75 per cent.

In a statement to Town Council in April’s full council meeting, chief executive Dave Farrow confirmed: “Thanks to Cllr John Thorne we now have sufficient support from property owners on Taunton Road to rename it to Queen Elizabeth Way.

“As we have already received approval from the Cabinet Office for the use of the proposed name I am now in discussion with the Street Naming Team in Somerset Council about how to move this forward at pace to mark the centenary of the late Queen’s birth.”

Wellington North Ward councillor John Thorne stated: “It is really apt that we can now go ahead with renaming the main road which most people use when coming into Wellington in what is the 100th anniversary year of our late Queen’s birthday.

“Despite some confusion over land ownership that held us up, I’m now absolutely delighted that we have resolved the issue and can go ahead with the renaming.

“Our councillors want to see a fitting tribute to Queen Elizabeth and it would have been a big disappointment if this had dragged on any longer.

“It is something generations of Wellington people can feel proud of whenever they see the new road signs.”