Naming the new access road

UPDATE: We’re pleased to share that the gateway to Northstowe now has its official name: Northstowe Avenue!

Many thanks to Thomas Nalloor who submitted the name, which took the judge’s unanimous vote.

Why ‘Northstowe’?

Thomas chose ‘Northstowe’ as this differentiated the road from the villages and parishes around it. Steeped in history, ‘Northstowe’ derives from the Hundred of Northstow, which reflects its Roman heritage, ancient origins, and the Anglo Saxon history of the place.

Why ‘Avenue’? 

‘Avenue’ is often defined as a 'broad passageway bordered by trees'; Thomas suggested that naming the road this helped to recognise the plants, tree, shrubs, and general biodiversity of the Northstowe development.

The signs are now up – keep your eyes out next time you pass by!

*** ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED***

Your chance to make a mark on Northstowe 

We’re inviting you to submit your ideas to name the new access road! 

Opened in Autumn 2023, the new access road, along with its associated new footways and cycleways, offers a long-term solution for linking Northstowe to Bar Hill, Cambridge, and beyond. It provides easy access to and from Northstowe for residents, commuters, and visitors, complementing the emerging town’s extensive network of walking, cycling, and horse-riding paths and links to the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway. 

As a major new landmark, the new access road is, quite literally, the gateway into what is set to be one of the UK’s largest new towns once complete. That’s why Homes England is inviting you to play your part in shaping the town’s identity and naming the entrance to it! 

Residents of Northstowe, Longstanton, and Oakington and Westwick, along with local groups within these areas, are invited to submit name ideas for the section of the new access road labelled on the map below. This is the section of road that runs between the B1050 roundabout and the second roundabout. 

Themes for consideration 

Homes England is looking for submissions of local significance. Entries could be based on one or more of the following themes, which have been identified by Northstowe Town Council: 

  • Nature in the area local to the new access road includes new ponds and open landscaping spaces to promote a new biodiversity habitat, as well as linking amphibian crossings (toads, frogs, newts) from existing habitats.

  • Many archaeological finds in the area date back to Roman times.

  • The new access road was constructed during the Jubilee year, and King Charles learned to fly at RAF Oakington while studying at Cambridge.

  • The new access road leads to a future residential road that follows the trajectory of the original airfield runway. The area’s RAF heritage is also reflected in the nearby ‘Stirling Road’, which is named after the Stirling Bomber which flew from the site.

How to enter 

 Entries must be submitted by 7th of May via this online form:

Online form

  • All submissions should include: 

    One suggested name  

    Up to 150 words explaining: 

    • Why the new access road should have this name

    • How it has local significance or reflects one or more of the suggested themes

    • Why this name is important to the individual and/or the local community

    The competition is open to children, adults, and local groups (all entrants must be aged five years old or above) and entrants are required to provide their postcode as proof of residency in Northstowe, Longstanton, or Oakington and Westwick.  

    By submitting an entry, you agree to involvement in marketing, PR, and communications activities relating to the naming of the new access road, including photography.  


FAQs 

  • Homes England is responsible for phases two and three, the final, southernmost phases of Northstowe’s development which make up the majority of the town. Homes England acts as master developer.  

  • The section of road between the B1050 roundabout and the second roundabout, which is highlighted on the map, and which has previously been called the Southern Access Road West / new access road, is to be named. It is currently under the ownership of Homes England.  

  • Entries will be anonymised and Homes England will choose a name based only on the road name suggested and the explanation provided. Following selection, the nominator will be notified. As the section of road being named will not have properties on it, SCDC’s (3G Shared Service's) Street Naming Team have advised that their street naming process does not apply. 

  • This section of road forms part of phase three and there is currently no detailed planning consent in place. This means that it is possible that properties could line some sections of this part of the road in the future. If this was the case, formal consultation with SCDC’s  Street Naming Team would be required.