I agree with Pancake... it is just a 'dilectal' difference between British English and American English. The differences are small and subtle but not terribly important to worry about the meaning should still be understood either way.

In American English, "in the street" is generally interpreted more literally than "on the street." For example: "Have you been to downtown Madison? There is a farmer's market in the street." The market occupies the space of the street. In contrast: (giving directions) "If you take a right at the gas station and continue for a block, you will see the cafe on the street." The phrase means around or in the near vicinity of the street rather than literally in the middle of the road. Side note: "On the streets" is an American phrase that sometimes means homeless. Also, if you are evicted from a residence, we say you are "thrown/put out on the street." As for "avenue", I think "in the avenue" and "on the avenue" would be interpreted similarly to the above, but those are used far less in common speech.