Petition launched to rename road in Morecambe after much-loved late scrapyard boss Ken Allen

The well-known owner of Ken Allen Auto Wreckers, on White Lund Industrial Estate in Morecambe, passed away at home on January 31, aged 74.

Hundreds lined the streets as his funeral cortege passed by his business in Northgate on its way to his funeral service in Beetham last month.

And an online petition set up by County Coun Charlie Edwards now asks Lancaster City Council to rename the road his business is situated on in his memory.

Charlie said the road was originally only built after Ken offered to pay for it.

He said: "There has been an outpouring of tributes and support for his family and loved ones at this awful time from the entire town of Morecambe and beyond.

"As a result of Covid, Ken’s funeral - like so many others this year - was subject to restrictions and there are many people who would like to pay tribute to this great man.

"When he first set up his business, he actually petitioned the council to lay him a road as it was originally a track from his yard to Westgate. He convinced them to build Northgate by offering to pay for the road to be laid.

"There would be no greater tribute to Ken Allen to rename the road that he had built himself, the road that everyone knows as his, as “Ken Allen Way”.

"We are calling on Lancaster City Council to consider renaming Northgate, White Lund Industrial Estate, Morecambe LA3 3AY, as “Ken Allen Way”.

More than 1,700 people have already signed the petition, which you can sign here.A Lancaster City Council spokesman said: "As part of its Petitions Scheme, the city council welcomes and recognises e-petitions as being one way in which local people can let us know their concerns or raise issues regarding matters affecting the area or the functions of the council.

"Any petition that the council receives will be considered in the most appropriate way under this scheme in due course once it has been received."

Guidance on street naming which includes the re-naming of streets can be found online here -residents and landowners would need to be contacted and their views taken into consideration.