A man who alleges he was sexually abused by Australia's 13th governor-general says he is "overwhelmed" that a major road in Canberra's north will be stripped of a name he associates with abuse he suffered as a child.

Key points: Several men allege Sir William Slim abused them as children

Several men allege Sir William Slim abused them as children William Slim Drive is a major arterial road in Canberra

William Slim Drive is a major arterial road in Canberra ACT Government announces the name change will go ahead, but is yet to determine a new name

Robert Stephens is one of several men who say they were abused as children by Sir William Slim in the 1950s at Fairbridge Farm school in Molong, New South Wales.

Sir William Slim died before sexual abuse allegations about him came to light. ( Wikipedia )

For decades Mr Stephens was affected by the abuse, but said his pain was amplified when he moved to Canberra and had to regularly drive on the road bearing the former governor-general's name.

"Having moved to Canberra 20 years ago, it intensified because of the fact that I had to see that drive on numerous occasions on most days," Mr Stephens said.

"A reminder was always there of that period in the 50s that is something that most of us would try to forget, and for me it was very difficult to forget."

Mr Stephens has been calling for William Slim Drive, which connects the town centres of Belconnen and Gungahlin, to be renamed, and said he was emotionally rocked when called by the ACT Government and informed of the change.

"I've already spoken to the other victims … they are also absolutely ecstatic that this has taken place," he said.

"It's been a long time coming and it's finally recognition of what happened to a number of those children, me included, that people have taken it seriously."

'Victory for truth and honesty'

Sir William died in 1970 and was never charged or convicted of sexual offences against children.

But allegations of his abuse of young boys emerged in the years after his death.

Last year a review of the ACT's place names was sparked by Government MLA Bec Cody.

Planning Minister Mick Gentleman said he had made the decision to change the road's name after considering allegations made to the Government, submissions by the Slim family and the royal commission into child sexual abuse.

"Child sexual abuse is abhorrent and we need to ensure our public place naming does not cause ongoing hurt to Canberrans," he said.

The road in Canberra's north is set to be renamed after it has undergone duplication works. ( ABC News )

The Government has asked for advice from the ACT Place Names Committee about new naming options.

Mr Cody said the decision was a "victory for truth and honesty about our past".

"When place names are offensive or hurtful to members of the community, there should be a process available to them," she said.

"I believe the Canberra community is kind enough to listen to victims, and help heal the wrongs of the past."

In a statement to the committee, Sir William's grandson Mark Slim spoke on behalf of the family in indicating it would "object in the strongest possible terms" if the street name was changed.

He said the family also rejected the allegations against his grandfather.

"[He] was held in genuine respect by Australians for his hard work and contribution to Australia," he said.

"The decision to name a street after him was based on merit and recognition and was not a mere token or formality.

"There is too little evidence (in fact nothing more than the word and distant memories of a couple of people) and nothing that would even get the case to court if my grandfather were alive and able to defend himself.

"I hope the ACT Assembly will recognise the fragility of these allegations against Bill Slim."

Mr Stephens said he was "a little overwhelmed" by the decision to change the name of William Slim Drive.

"It feels like recognition and I'm very grateful to the Government … that has taken this issue seriously, and have looked at it with sympathy and understand the ramifications of what happened all those years ago," he said.

The Government also faced calls for Haig Park to be renamed, however it will remain but new signage detailing the differing views about war veteran Douglas Haig would be installed.

The former Field Marshall has been referred to as the Butcher for his activities during WWI.