Hidden behind Hendon's roaring Great North Way is a road with no name.

Once a convenient thoroughfare between Holders Hill Road and Holders Hill Drive, its condition has deteriorated since a block of flats was built shutting off access from one end.

Houses there are classed as numbers 269-327 of the Great North Way but between them and the main road there is an overgrown path with no lighting.

"Our address is on the main road but we can't get to our homes from there," said resident Yossi Joseph. "My neighbour called a minicab one night. The driver spent ages trying to find the place and when he did, he fell into the pond in her back garden trying to find the front door."

"We need a footpath and access to Holders Hill Road. There is a gate providing access but it is often locked. Old people can't get to the bus stop without having to walk around Holders Hill Drive or the Great North Way.

"No-one cares about this road or place. No-one squeamish could go on the footpath. It's dark and there are steep stairs going down to it. If someone fell no-one would see them."

An elderly resident recently fell into one of the road's several potholes.

Even London's geography bible, the A-Z, has neglected to mark it on the map. Compiler Andrew Mcgarvey said: "It's probably known as an access road and we try to put in roads as space allows.

"Space is tight and the addresses are Great North Way. The road isn't named. If it's clogging up the map we'll leave it off."

But Mr Mcgarvey promised he would try to include it in the next edition although he could not guarantee this. After the Hendon & Finchley Times contacted Barnet Council a spokeswoman said that officers would inspect the site to determine what action is needed.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.