Google Finally Removes Hyphens from Bradford on Avon's Name

A long-standing dispute over the name of Bradford on Avon has finally been resolved after Google agreed to remove hyphens from its mapping system. The town council and local businesses launched a campaign in 2023, dubbed the 'great dash debate', to reclaim the town's original name without hyphens.

The issue dates back to 1899 when Great Western Railway added dashes to the station title, which then became more widely used by mapmakers and other organizations. Locals have been fighting against the use of hyphens for over 130 years.

Google has confirmed that it will remove the hyphens from its maps within 48 hours after being contacted by the BBC. Other companies, including Tripadvisor and Visit Bath, have also updated their content to reflect the town's original name without hyphens.