pipestem

From the margin of a river / Took a long reed for a pipe-stem, / With its dark green leaves upon it; […]

The families live at the end of what's called a "pipestem" driveway, a narrow private avenue that connects their properties to Compton Road near Clifton. Without the driveway, three of the four lots would be completely landlocked, with no way to get to the main road.