Taximen and posties get lost because of lack of house numbers

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.derryjournal.com/news/taxime ... -1-7268148" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A Derry and Strabane councillor has revealed how he has been inundated with complaints from taxi drivers and postal workers about the lack of house numbering in Derry.

Derek Hussey of the UUP was speaking at this week’s meeting of the Environmental Services Committee.

His comments were made as councillors were asked to approve street naming and property numbering of 16 new dwellings at Ballyarnett.

“There are a considerable number of homes in the council area which are not numbered,” he said. “I would ask if council has looked at this because I have had complaints from post officers workers and taxi drivers because they keep getting lost. What can council do to make sure that houses are being numbered.?”

Karen Phillips, head of the Environmental Services said that it was her understanding that none of the councils have ever had to take enforcement action because of numbering and the matter has always been resolved informally.

She said that all properties are mapped on the GIS system to emergency services can get where they need to go. “If a member of the public has any concerns they can contact us,” she said.

[greengiant]

Doesn't cost much for home owner / landlord to stick a number on the door.

[malcolm3011]

Always used to infuriate me when homeowners insisted on have a housename and not a number, i thought it was compulsory to have a house numbered but i knew two delivery rounds in my office where the frame is mostly names, used to be a nightmare to throw off and to deliver if u didn't know the round.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

i thought it was compulsory to have a house numbered

The naming and numbering of streets and buildings is controlled by the local street naming and numbering authority - your local council. The powers are set out in the Towns Improvement Clauses Act 1847 (as amended) - although in London the relevant legislation is the London Government Act 1963. The controls are quite elaborate. For example, most householders are unaware that Section 65 of the 1847 Act requires them to display their house number or name and that they can be prosecuted if their number falls off the front door.

If a property is already numbered, the owner can add a name without needing permission, as long as the new name does not conflict with the name of another property in the area. If an owner does this, the new name will not officially form part of the address, and technically the owner must still display the number as well.