A bid to name a town square and underpass after the Queen and her late husband have fallen flat.

A full council meeting last night heard that one idea was flatly rejected by the Government and the other got a widespread thumbs-down.

Dover town councillor Graham Wanstall had asked for Market Square to be christened Queen Elizabeth II Square, in time for her Platinum Jubilee next year and for the A20 Townwall Street subway to become Prince Philip Way.

But Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Dover District Council leader, told him: "The council and I share Mr Wanstall's respect for the monarchy.

"Officers explored his suggestions for naming the underpass/steps."

He explained that the The Cabinet Office on September 29 said it would not be possible but that did not reflect on the standing of Dover.

Cllr Bartlett added:"Since the connections of Her Majesty the Queen with Dover is similar to that of HRH the late Duke of Edinburgh’s it is unlikely that the cabinet office would entertain Mr Wanstall’s suggestion regarding renaming Market Square.”

Cllr Wanstall said: "I'm very disappointed, there seems to be a negative response."

Cllr Bartlett said of the square: "I don't think this is the way to commemorate. We consulted people and I don't think they want the name to change. It is always going to be known as Market Square.

"If it was a new street or building I think that would work.I was at a Dover Town Team meeting on Monday and I didn't get one person supporting it."

Cllr Wanstall had put the proposal in a written question to Cllr Bartlett, saying: "The Market Square is to undergo changes so we have an excellent opportunity to mark the Queen’s special jubilee naming it Queen Elizabeth II Square which I now propose to you.

" I (also) propose we call the subway and steps Prince Philip Way as we did with Dame Vera Lynn Way which proved popular."

In March Cllr Wanstall had originally asked for the steps of the subway, going to the seafront, to be named after the Duke of Edinburgh and the slope at Bench Street to be named after Second World War veteran and fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Captain Sir Tom's family had rejected that as he had no strong links to Dover.

He died on February 2 this year, aged 100, after suffering both Covid-19 and pneumonia.

The Duke died on April 9, aged 99.

Market Square is about to undergo a £3.6 million refurbishment, which is expected to finish next August.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is from June 2 to 5, marking her 70 years on the throne.

Cllr Wanstall has put similar proposals before.

In 2019 he succeeded in having a plaque erected for the victims of the 1977 Crypt Restaurant fire at Bench Street, which killed seven people.

Last summer he won in his quest to christen the footpath going up to the White Cliffs at Langdon Dame Vera Lynn Way, after the wartime singer.

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