What's in a name? An awful lot apparently - if you happen to live in Naburn or Fulford.

Villagers in Naburn claim confused drivers trying to find the new BAA McArthurGlen designer shopping outlet have been clogging up their village with unnecessary traffic - because of the common practice of referring to it as the Naburn shopping centre.

They now want the name changed to clearly show the site is in Fulford and not Naburn.

Verna Campbell, head teacher of Naburn Primary School in Naburn Lane, said she had already seen traffic driving down Naburn Lane and having to turn back because the only car access to the site is via the A19 and A64.

"It's very confusing calling it Naburn - we had a Frenchman who came into school and interrupted my lesson to ask directions because the address he had said Naburn," she said.

She said speeding traffic outside the school was a constant worry for staff and parents.

Maureen Gordon, a clerical officer, of St Matthews Close, Naburn, said most people would continue to call the complex Naburn because it used to be the site of Naburn Hospital.

"Even the adverts on TV say the site is near Naburn," she said.

Elaine Landragin, also of St Matthews Close, said she had protested against the shopping centre from the beginning.

"It's already caused major problems. I hate the sight of it - it looks like Hollywood and I've certainly seen an increase in traffic - particularly on Sunday. It's ridiculous," she said.

Mrs Landragin said she was most concerned for her 15-year-old son James who is asthmatic and will suffer from the extra pollution.

She said renaming the shopping centre to include Fulford would end the confusion and stop villagers being forced onto remote country roads to avoid the congestion.

Malcolm Wilson, chairman of Naburn Parish Council, of Maypole Grove, said City of York Council highways officers were monitoring the amount of cars using Naburn Lane for the first six months of the complex opening.

"People see the signs for Naburn and think they can get to the shops. The site was always known as Naburn Hospital and it's just stuck. The shops seems to be well sign-posted from the A64 but not the A19," he said.

A Fulford resident who lives opposite the complex in Naburn Lane, said the construction company should have stuck to an original suggestion of "Fulford Park" to name the complex and avoid a build up of cars parking outside her home.

"Drivers come down here and expect to get to the complex, but there's no access so they park outside and walk. The road is too narrow for parking," she said.

Thomas Dykes, of Naburn Lane, Fulford, said he also objected to the number of cars parked outside his house by shoppers who could not be bothered to drive to the proper entrance via the A19.

"People are driving here and walking through instead of going round. I think people know the way, they're just too idle."

See COMMENT 'What a mouthful'

see LETTERS 'Get the location right'

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