Perfectly named address of South Yorkshire Police complex raises a smile

Named in the late 1990s, Letsby Avenue is a quarter-mile stretch of road in Tinsley which is home to the South Yorkshire Police Operations Complex.

It is believed senior officers in the force gave the nod to the name - familiar to many from comedians' routines and children's games - after Sheffield council sent them a straight-faced consultation form for comments.

And there were no objections from residents in the area either who all seemed to welcome the property developers funny quip.

The Ordnance Survey, a national mapping agency which does not name roads or streets but enlists suggestions from local councils and others, are said to have also had a brief look for any nearby roads named ‘Evenin Hall or Onyer Way’ – again puns which are both synonymous with the police – before double-checking by post and getting approval on official police paper.

Speaking at the time, Philip Round of the Ordnance Survey said: "We looked into it very seriously."

The building itself was actually in place before the aptly named road was built to connect the M1 with Sheffield City Airport, which has since closed.

It is thought the name was put forward during a discussion between developers at the Tinsley Park Development company who built the road and other infrastructure for the airport.

Superintendent Paul McCurry, of South Yorkshire Police, made light of the building’s address on Twitter.

He said: “We are here waiting to take your questions at @SYPOperations, I am not sure what all the fuss is about our address on Letsby Avenue. We could have called our Ops Complex Evening Hall!”

Letsby Avenue joins a long and vibrant list of names for Britain’s 800,000-odd roads – many of which are sure to brighten up a postman’s day.

Last year, researchers from driving experts LeaseVan.co.uk compiled 35 of the silliest and rudest street names from across the country with Butthole Lane, in Lancashire; No Name Street, in Kent; and Spanker Lane, in Derbyshire, all making the cut.