Votes ensure it's going Lara's way
SHE'S battled evil cults, Bengal tigers and the Undead – and now video game super-heroine Lara Croft has climbed to the top of the popularity pyramid in Derby.
The city council set up an online poll to choose a name for its new section of ring road, with Lara Croft Way one of the options.
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Lara Croft
The Tomb Raider star was created in Derby.
Currently, the second most popular choice of names with Derby links, Merlin, has attracted 207 votes – while Steve Bloomer has got 79.
But after word of the options spread across the globe via the online community, the name Lara Croft Way has so far attracted an incredible 17,100 votes.
Steve Donaldson, manager of Game in the Westfield centre, said: "I think it's awesome, a brilliant idea and shows how games have become part of our lives.
"It's putting Derby on the global map and I'm very pleased with it."
Lucy Care, cabinet member for planning and transport said she was pleased to see so many people had voted on-line.
She said: "Lara Croft has become a popular icon of modern, turn-of-the-century culture.
"Her popularity in the polls has captured the imagination of people throughout the world but this is no surprise."
Derby games enthusiast Steve Forster said: "If you type Lara Croft Way into the internet search engine Google it brings up more than 60,000 different websites.
"On-line gaming websites, blogs and message boards are spreading the word, asking members to visit the council website and click on Lara Croft Way.
"I'm a gamer myself, but I think it's unfair that a road in Derby could be named after Lara Croft just because people around the world, who know nothing about Derby, are voting for it for a laugh."
One of the gaming websites urging its members to vote for Lara Croft Way is The Escapist.
On its site it says: "The great thing about this, at least if you're a Lara Croft aficionado, is that you don't actually have to live in Derby to vote.
"You don't even have to live in the UK.
"Anyone on the internet can cast a ballot and judging from the results so far, it looks like the power of the tubes is going to carry the day."
The two most popular names will be used to name the two new sections of the road.
People have until January 31 to vote.
The list is: John Flamsteed Way, Griffon Way, Merlin Way, Lara Croft Way, Sorocold Way, Steve Bloomer Way, Eagle Way and Mercian Way.
A council spokesman said: "The online vote is only one part of the decision-making process.
"Its results will be considered by council but ultimately councillors get the final decision on naming the two stretches of road."
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by Chris, Derby
Friday, December 04 2009, 3:57PM
“Having watched Andrew Marr's "he making of Britain" I note that Stuart Rolls and Henry Royce met in Manchester. The programme showed the old Rolls Royce works but failed to mention that this is in Derby.
I still say the best way of honouring the two men who have done the most for Derby over the past 100 years would be to name a road after them. Simply call the roads, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce way. There are as yet NO place names honouring these two men.”
by Chris, Derby
Friday, December 04 2009, 3:49PM
“If we are celebrating the games created by a Derby company, how about renaming some more streets/roads after Core Design's games.
How about Riverlights - renamed The Curse of Enchantia?
Or Traffic Street - Herdy Gerdy, Cockpitt Car Park - the Rick Dangerous Car Park? Cathedral Green - The Eden Project? these are just some games that could be adopted as Derby place names. Why not rename Derby CarVup? (another Core Design name) This would certainly describe the current state of our city.”
by Rams Fan, Oakwood
Friday, December 04 2009, 2:31PM
“Has John/Dragon been quiet of late as he has undergone surgery and is now 'Elaine' - there are 'so called' 'similarities'...”
by TW, Derby
Friday, December 04 2009, 2:27PM
“David, "I think this is the probable explanation for the hugely distorted figures in this poll" - 1) On what facts are you basing your assumption? 2) What distorted figures? All they are are 'figures'. Unless you can prove they do not reflect actual votes, they remain 'figures'.”
by Tom Fulep, Sinfin
Friday, December 04 2009, 1:53PM
“I said that earlier Steve, but my post wouldn't send.”
by Steve, Derby
Friday, December 04 2009, 1:46PM
“Oh, what a shame it is that the city has no connection with the world's most famous cartoon mouse because 'MICKEY MOUSE WAY' would aptly describe how the current council goes about it's business.”
by Tom Fulep, Sinfin
Friday, December 04 2009, 1:46PM
“Dawn. Yes, Flo Siddons. A battler to the end and a lovely lady.”
by Tom Fulep, Sinfin
Friday, December 04 2009, 1:44PM
“Steve Bloomer, Richard Arkwright, Florence Nightingale, Brian Clough, Henry Royce, Tom Douce, John Flamstead, Kevin Hector, Philip Noel Baker, Jedediah Strutt and of course Joseph Wright. Any of these would be a fitting, plus numerous others, but a fictional CGI cartoon character. I DON'T BELIEVE IT!”
by Dawn, Derby
Friday, December 04 2009, 1:41PM
“Sorry-
Didn't mean to call Mr Clough a "football" , rather a footballer !!”
by Dawn, Derby
Friday, December 04 2009, 1:38PM
“Whats wrong with Lara Croft Way?
My 88yr old Gran knows who she is as does my 16yr old.
My kids are proud that Lara Croft was "invented" in Derby and the whole family have had hours of fun playing Tomb Raider over the years.
There's a place for all sorts of names, not just historic ones.
I hate football, but didn't see a problem with the A52 being named after one.
I would have liked to seen the road called Flo Siddons Way - now there was a lady who would take on the world, not just a few tigers.”