COUNCIL chiefs are offering people to use their poetic licence and name one of Darlington’s main routes in and out of the town.

Many streets and roads across the country are named after well known local people or names synonymous with the area.

In Darlington there is already McMullen Road – named in honour of war hero William McMullen.

The time has now come for Darlington’s Eastern Transport Corridor (DETC) to be named properly and Darlington Borough Council is calling on residents to help.

Opened in 2008, DETC links Haughton Road with the A66 and has helped to reduce congestion as well as unlocking land for housing and business development.

Councillor Nick Wallis, the Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “DETC has been a working title for far too long. This road was the most important one to be built in Darlington for many years and we want to recognise this with a suitable name.

“We are asking people to come forward with relevant suggestions. Themes could be anything from the railways to our links with the wool industry or the more recent wildflowers that have sprung up in the area. We are open to suggestions – polite and printable ones of course.”

Early suggestions include Wildflower Way, 1825 Way and Commerce Way.

The most suitable suggestions will be put forward to the naming committee, which will then select the top three. The shortlisted names will then be opened to a public vote.

People are being urged to email their suggestions to economic.projects@darlington.gov.uk