BAFFLED delivery drivers and motorists could be a thing of the past in a York village if residents decide to rename one of its two Main Streets.

Heslington Parish Council is asking villagers if they would like to resolve the long-standing directional headache by formally changing the name of one of the streets.

The village's best recognised Main Street - which we shall call Main Street One - is where its pubs, shops and banks are located, running from the junction with Field Lane to Common Lane.

The other Main Street - which is the one under review and which we shall call Main Street Two - connects Field Lane junction with Heslington Lane, ending at the junction with Holmefield Lane.

To add to the confusion, the buildings in Main Street One are mostly numbered, while those in Main Street Two have names.

Parish council chairman Richard Frost said: "What most people call Heslington Lane is officially Main Street. We are just consulting with people to see if there are any strong views."

Suggestions for Main Street Two include incorporating it into Heslington Lane, or renaming it something like Main Street West.

Any change would be made by City of York Council, providing other relevant bodies and 75 per cent of residents were in agreement.

Simon Walker, assistant manager of the Lord Deramore pub, said: "We get a large amount of people coming in asking for places the villagers have never heard of."

Sandra Walters, at Heslington Post Office, said she also had people regularly asking for directions.

"It is confusing, especially for deliveries. I think they should extend Heslington Lane right down."

Ron Millet, who regularly uses the shops and pubs in Heslington, said he favoured a new name.

"Perhaps it could be named after someone who has done something notable for the village? It leads towards the golf course, so it could be renamed Fairway."

Donald Shaw, of Main Street One, said: "It's never caused me any confusion and I have lived here 60 years. Any villager who is long-standing has never referred to it as Main Street."

Valerie McTurk, of Walnut Farm in Main Street Two, said: "We have been here for a year and have not found it too confusing except for giving directions. It is difficult on maps because this is often labelled as Heslington Lane.

"Most of the time, to avoid confusion, I just put Walnut Farm and the postcode."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman told the Evening Press that the two Main Streets have different postcodes and are on different delivery walks so have not caused staff any confusion.

Do you know of any other confusing street names or addresses? If so, please contact Rosslyn Snow on 01904 653051 ext 312, email rosslyn.snow@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 08:32 Thursday, April 07, 2005