Developers order replacement mis-spelt road sign tribute to Shrewsbury murder victim

The sign, for Murrell Way, at the Sutton Grange housing development in Shrewsbury, is named after the anti-nuclear campaigner Hilda Murrell, who was abducted and found murdered in 1984.

It is one of a number of streets on the estate, being built by Taylor Wimpey, to be named in tribute to Miss Murrell. The land was once her plant nursery, and other names on the estate will have a gardening theme.

However, the street sign put up on the road spells Miss Murrell's name with only one "l".

Now Shropshire Council has confirmed that the sign had been made by the developers and a replacement has been ordered.

Tim Sneddon, Shropshire Council's environmental maintenance manager, said: "Developers have the responsibility for the ordering and installation of nameplates on all new developments.

"The council's street naming and numbering team contacted Taylor Wimpey in June 2014 to confirm addresses, these were spelt correctly.

"In May 2015 the council's environmental maintenance team were informed that one of the plates for Murrell Way that had been installed by the developers had been spelt incorrectly.

"Once alerted in mid-May, the developers have ordered a new nameplate, and are awaiting delivery so their error can be corrected."

Chris Eldon Lee of the Hilda Murrell Forum welcomed the news that the sign would be replaced after what he said was a "sloppy mistake".

He said: "I have been speaking to Miss Murrell's nephew Robert Green in new Zealand and we are delighted that the council is onto this to correctly honour her memory."

Miss Murrell was abducted from her house in Shrewsbury on March 21, 1984. Her body was found three days later in a copse in the shadow of Haughmond Hill.

Her murder remained unsolved for 21 years until builders' labourer Andrew George was convicted of her killing.

George has always maintained that he was not responsible.

The street name for the development was agreed with Miss Murrell's nephew, Robert Green, and supported by Shrewsbury Town Council.