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Barnehurst - is that Bexleyheath?
Not sure if you have noticed this but more and more letters are addressed to me (slap bang in the middle of Barnehurst) stating my address is Bexleyheath?
I live in Barnehurst and over the past few years the use of the name Barnehurst on post is declining.
If
you try saying your address over the phone to a bank, shop etc., I'll
guarantee the person at the other end is typing in your postcode to auto
fill the details. If you say Barnehurst, you'll be asked 'is that Bexleyheath?'
or 'is that Barnehurst, Bexleyheath?'
No it's not.
It happened again to me the other when trying to give my address for security clearance. When I said Barnehurst the system didn't recognise me. I had to say I lived in Bexleyheath.
The final straw was trying to fill out an online payment - again Barnehurst wasn’t recognised. Try telling that to the 10,000 plus residents.
One reason this is happening is that more and more systems are being used to auto find addresses and the reason Barnehurst is not found is because it has NEVER been a postal town. Address database software has increased in recent years, rather than there being any change to the postal address itself.
Royal Mail's Address Change Team have kindly explained the situation and the terms of the PAF (postal address file).
Royal Mail have said they would consider a proposal from me for addresses to state the following;
22a The Street
Barnehurst
BEXLEYHEATH
DA7 6HH
This could only be done if 20% or fewer residents objected and consultations with the board for address changes.
What do you think? Is this proposal a good idea?
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