Former Basildon Street Names
In 1949 the Basildon area had over 100 different street names. In the years that followed
many would disappear as new development changed the landscape forever. Those that survived would often be
radically altered from their original routes. Some former street names have also been reused in
subsequent developments, sometimes with suttle changes, e.g., Elizabeth Drive, in Laindon, now used again
as Elizabeth Way.
Street Name Meanings
As Basildon
continues to grow new street names appear.
But what of the meanings behind the names?
On the links below are a
selection from some of Basildon's street names and their meanings.
There is a wide diversity amongst them with names
honouring former American Presidents and English Classical musicians, local people, Essex field names, as well as some that
link Basildon with other Essex places and English counties.
Dunton/Langdon Hills/Laindon/Lee Chapel North/South
A - M
N - Y
Basildon/Barstable/Fryerns/Ghyllgrove/Kingswood
A - M
N - Y
Chalvedon/Felmore/Nevendon/Pitsea/Vange
A - M
N - Y
Basildon
New Town street map circa 1950
Basildon, in pre-new town days is in most parts almost unrecognisable and today's generation might find it hard
to imagine what it was like back in those times. Many roads were little more than grass tracks or cinder paths,
while others had 18" or 2ft wide concrete paths on one side only. Often these footpaths were constructed by the residents themselves using materials bought locally.
In total by the early 1950s there were reputed to be 78 miles of unmade roads; causing some concern for the local council.
Today,
in the new millenium, there are still some areas that survived such as the Riverview estate in Pitsea
and parts of Langdon Hills where many pre-new town properties can still be seen.
