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Subway in Dover to be named after Captain Sir Tom Moore and Duke of Edinburgh

Plans have been agreed to name two parts of a subway after two revered national figures.

Dover District Council will put in a proposal to honour Captain Sir Tom Moore and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Captain Sir Tom Moore. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA
Captain Sir Tom Moore. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA

Leader Trevor Bartlett told a full council meeting last night: "I welcome the proposal.

"I will ask officers to take this matter forward and seek the necessary permissions.

"These are two much-loved figures. "

Dover town councillor Graham Wanstall had put forward the idea of naming the ramp and underground passage at Townwall Street in Dover, which starts at Bench Street, as Captain Sir Tom Moore Passage.

The steps at the other end, heading for the seafront, would be called the Duke of Edinburgh Steps.

Graham Wanstall photographed outside the subway
Graham Wanstall photographed outside the subway

His written proposal to the district council said: "The names complement each other, marking two much-loved and respected national figures Captain Tom’s life of 100 years and the 100th birthday of H.R.H the Duke of Edinburgh."

The only difference Cllr Bartlett wanted was that the ramp should be named Sir Tom Moore Way.

Sir Tom won the nation's heart last April when he raised £32.79 million by walking 100 lengths of his garden for NHS Charities Together.

He did it during the first coronavirus lockdown, over 24 days up to his 100th birthday on April 30.

The slope of the subway is expected to be named after Captain Sir Tom Moore
The slope of the subway is expected to be named after Captain Sir Tom Moore

He died on February 2 this year after suffering both Covid-19 and pneumonia.

The Second World War veteran's funeral took place with military honours last Saturday.

Prince Philip, who has been in hospital this week with a heart condition, turns 100 on June 10.

Cllr Wanstall wanted the change in time for that and said it only needed four street name plates and the support of

Highways England, which is responsible for the subway.

In 2019 Cllr Wanstall succeeded in having a plaque placed on the same ramp for the victims of the 1977 Crypt Restaurant fire at Bench Street.

Prince Philip, who turns 100 in June
Prince Philip, who turns 100 in June

Seven people were killed in the tragedy.

Last October he was again supported by Cllr Bartlett in his campaign to name a footpath to the White Cliffs of Dover after Dame Vera Lynn.

This is the route from Athol Terrace to the top at Langdon.

Dame Vera, the Second World War Forces' Sweetheart, was famous for the 1942 song (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover.

She died last June aged 103.

Cllr Trevor Bartlett. Picture: Dover District Council
Cllr Trevor Bartlett. Picture: Dover District Council

In January Cllr Bartlett also agreed to examine Cllr Wanstall's idea of naming a road after the Unknown Warrior.

This is Station Approach Road in Dover.

The body of the anonymous First World War soldier was transported in 1920 from the Western Front via Dover for burial at Westminster Abbey in London.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

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