Votes ensure it's going Lara's way

By mnaylor martin naylor mnaylor@derbytelegraph.co.uk

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.

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."