A COUPLE of streets on a new housing development are being named after two teenagers who tragically lost their lives in car crashes.

‘Aanisah Avenue’ is in memory of Aanisah Rashid, 13, who died on January 13, 2009, when the car she was a passenger in was hit at twice the speed limit on Haworth Road, Bradford.

While ‘Raees Way’ is in tribute of 14-year-old Mohammed Raees Kabir-Farid from Shipley. Raees and his father Abdul were killed in a crash with a minibus in Serik, Antalya, Turkey on December 3, 2019.

The street signs will appear at a new site on the former Chellow Grange Quarry on Haworth Road. 98 affordable homes are being built there by the Home Group and Strategic Team Group.

The signs were unveiled with both families and the Lord Mayor of Bradford present in an emotional event at the cafe in Lister Park on Tuesday.

Heaton Councillor Mohammed Amran is responsible for the gesture after feeling like he had to do something to remember the two teens.

He said: “We remember politicians and other famous people by naming streets and parks after them, but we never look at local grassroots people.

“One of the kids (Raees) used to live on my street and the other one I remember the accident because I went past it three minutes after it happened. I remember the officer saying a young child has probably lost their life. It always stuck in my head. My sons went to the same school as Raees, and they remember him as a talented footballer and boxer. He always had a smile on his face. My son said he was one of those funny characters.

“I rang the families and said I wanted to do this but if you don’t want it done I won’t. I really wanted this doing because this is a remembrance of your child. Whenever anyone walks past the streets, they will remember your child. People will ask where that name has come from. Why have you called it Aanisah Avenue and Raees Way? There is history there, people will remember your child.

“The families were so emotional and even I was in tears at one stage. It is so important to remember some of the lives that have been sadly cut short.”

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Shabir Hussain, was also touched when hearing the shocking tragedies and thought it was only right that their memory should live on.

He added: “Both these young people died in awful circumstances and their families will always feel their loss and that of their future lives and ambitions that will never be realised. These new street names are a lovely tribute and a way to keep their memories alive.”