List of telephone area name changes in the United Kingdom

This list of telephone area name changes in the United Kingdom documents proposed and actually changes to the names of telephone areas, made in the third millennium by Oftel and its successor Ofcom, with assistance from BT and Cable & Wireless plc (C&W).

Background

In 2003, Oftel published a proposal to create a National Telephone Numbering Plan (NTNP). This draft plan proposed changing the names of many areas from whatever name BT had previously used. Following responses from BT, C&W and others the final plan was published with a number of amendments incorporated, followed by a minor revision a few weeks later. A few months later, the data and the responsibility for maintaining it was passed to Ofcom.

Ofcom's data is contained in two files: the NTNP PDF file (updated several times per year) and the SABC CSV file for electronic download (published weekly). Although the data in these files should be identical, there have been and still are many differences between them.

In one background document from 2004, Ofcom states that In order to conform to the National Telephone Numbering Plan (NTNP), the names of the following Geographic Area Codes have changed - 1248, 1268, 1275, 1276, 1291, 1293, 1306, 1322, 1327, 1334, 1344, 1354, 1356, 1375, 1384, 1394, 1425, 1438, 1442, 1451, 1454, 1461, 1470, 1471, 1477, 1478, 1485, 1488, 1489, 1491, 1543, 1561, 1562, 1582, 1588, 1598, 1661, 1668, 1675, 1680, 1681, 1684, 1688, 1689, 1695, 1707, 1720, 1727, 1737, 1744, 1753, 1770, 1784, 1806, 1821, 1856, 1870, 1877, 1883, 1885, 1889, 1895, 1908, 1920, 1922, 1926, 1928, 1932, 1952, 1953, 1963, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1992.

However, several of the above area codes did not see any name change. It had been proposed to change some names but in the end either the original BT name continued to be used or a completely new name suggested by either BT or C&W, or by both, was adopted. The Ofcom proposal also contained a large number of spelling mistakes in the proposed area code names. Some of those errors were rectified within weeks or months, while others have still not been fixed eight years later. Additionally, several other areas changed their name after suggestions by BT and/or C&W, although Ofcom originally had no plans to change them. There are also several areas which changed name but are not listed above. Additionally some names were changed in one Ofcom document but were not updated in the other Ofcom document until several years later. Some have still not been updated or corrected.

Nine more place names were fixed in a reissued NTNP PDF document in mid-December 2011.

List

The proposed and actual changes, along with the list of implementation errors, are detailed below.

Code

SABC March 2003

Oftel 2003 Proposal

BT 2003 comments

C&W 2003 comments

NTNP edits 2003 onwards

SABC edits 2003 onwards

Status 2012

117

Bristol
(Inner - See also 1275)

Bristol

Bristol

Bristol

OK

1229 0,1

Barrow-in-Furness / Millom

Barrow-in-Furness / Millom

Barrow-in-Furness / Millom (7) then changed to Barrow-in-Furness (2,4,5,6,8) / Millom (3,7,9) in 2005.

Barrow-in-Furness National Dialling (2003- ). Should be Barrow-in-Furness/Millom National Dialling.

NTNP OK.
Error in SABC. Should be Barrow-in-Furness/Millom National Dialling.

1233

Ashford

Ashford

Could cause confusion. Suggest Ashford (Kent).

Ashford (Kent)

Ashford (2003- ). Should be Ashford (Kent).

NTNP OK.
Error in SABC. Should be Ashford (Kent).

1248

Bangor (N Wales)

Bangor

Suggest using Bangor (Wales).

Clashes with 28 91. Suggest Bangor (Wales).

Bangor (Gwynedd)

Bangor (Gwynedd)

OK

1260

Congleton
(See also 1477)

Congleton

Congleton

Congleton

OK

1268

Stanford-le-Hope
(See also 1375)

Canvey Island

Suggest using Basildon.

Consider using Basildon.

Basildon

Basildon

OK (using BT and C&W suggested name).

1271

Barnstable

Barnstable [sic]

Barnstable (2003–2011) then corrected to Barnstaple in late 2011.

Barnstable (2003–2010) then corrected to Barnstaple in 2010.

NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT.)

1275

Bristol
(Outer - See also 117)

Clevedon


Clevedon. Agree.

Clevedon

Clevedon

OK

1276

Ascot
(See also 1344)

Camberley


Camberley. Agree.

Camberley

Camberley

OK

1284

Bury-St-Edmunds [sic]

Bury-St-Edmunds [sic]

Bury-St-Edmunds (2003–2011) then corrected to Bury St Edmunds in late 2011.

Bury-St-Edmunds (2003–2010) then corrected to Bury St Edmunds in 2010.

NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT.)

1286

Caernarvon [sic]

Caernarvon [sic]

Caernarvon (2003–2011) then corrected to Caernarfon in late 2011.

Caernarvon (2003–2010) then corrected to Caernarfon in 2010.

NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT.)

1289

Berwick-on-Tweed [sic]

Berwick-on-Tweed [sic]

Berwick-on-Tweed (2003–2011) then corrected to Berwick-upon-Tweed in late 2011.

Berwick-on-Tweed (2003–2010) then corrected to Berwick-upon-Tweed in 2010.

NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT.)

1291

Shirenewton

Chepstow


Chepstow. Agree.

Chepstow

Chepstow

OK

1293

Newdigate
(See also 1306)

Crawley


Crawley. Agree.

Crawley

Crawley

OK

1294

Ardrossan

Ardrossan


Consider using Irvine.

Ardrossan

Ardrossan

OK

1306

Newdigate
(See also 1293)

Dorking


Dorking. Agree.

Dorking

Dorking

OK

1322

Swanley
(See also 1959 & 1689)

Dartford


Dartford. Agree.

Dartford

Dartford

OK

1327

Weedon

Daventry


Daventry. Agree.

Daventry

Daventry

OK

1329

Fareham
(See also 1489)

Fareham

Fareham

Fareham

OK

1333

Peat Inn
(See also 1334)

Peat Inn


Peat Inn. Agree.

Peat Inn (2003- )

Peat Inn (2003- )

Leven (Fife) would be a better name for 1333. Peat Inn is in 1334.

1334

Peat Inn
(See also 1333)

St Andrews


St Andrews. Agree.

St Andrews (2003- )

St Andrews (2003- )

In renaming 1334 Ofcom renamed the wrong area.

1340

Craigellachie

Craigellachie

Craigellachie

Craigellachie

OK (Aberlour may be a better name, no exchange in Craigellachie).

1344

Ascot
(See also 1276)

Bracknell


Bracknell. Agree.

Bracknell

Bracknell

OK

1354

Doddington

Chatteris


Chatteris. Agree.

Chatteris

Chatteris

OK

1355

East Kilbride
(See also 1357)

Kilbride

Consider East Kilbride for both.

Suggest using East Kilbride.

East Kilbride

East Kilbride

OK

1356

Brechin

Brechin

Brechin

Brechin

OK (Listed by Ofcom as changing name in 2003 but name not actually changed).

1357

East Kilbride
(See also 1355)

East Kilbride

Consider East Kilbride for both.

Suggest using Strathaven.

Strathaven

Strathaven

OK (using C&W suggested name).

1375

Stanford-le-Hope
(See also 1268)

Stanford-le-Hope

Suggest using Grays Thurrock instead of Stanford Le Hope [sic].

Suggest using Grays Thurrock.

Grays Thurrock

Grays Thurrock

OK (using BT and C&W suggested name).

1384

Stourbridge
(See also 1562)

Dudley


Dudley. Agree.

Dudley

Stourbridge (2003–2007) then corrected to Dudley in 2007.

NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.

1388 5

Stanhope (5) and Bishop Auckland

Stanhope (4) and Bishop Auckland

01388 contains two separate charge groups: 01388 and 01388 5. Stanhope sub-reference needs correcting: (5) not (4).

Stanhope (5)

1388 5 Stanhope

OK (The Stanhope exchange is located in Eastgate).

1394

Shottisham

Felixstowe


Felixstowe. Agree.

Felixstowe

Felixstowe

OK

1425

Burley

Ringwood


Ringwood. Agree.

Ringwood

Ringwood

OK

1437 2,3,4,5

Clynderwen

Clynderwen

Clynderwen

Clynderwen

OK (The correct Welsh spelling is Clunderwen).

1438

Knebworth
(See also 1920)

Knebworth

Suggest using Stevenage.

Suggest using Stevenage.

Stevenage

Stevenage

OK (using BT and C&W suggested name).

1442

Markyate
(See also 1582)

Hemel Hempstead


Hemel Hempstead. Agree.

Hemel Hempstead

Hemel Hempstead

OK

1451

Bourton-on-the-Water

Stow-on-the-Wold


Stow-on-the-Wold. Agree.

Stow-on-the-Wold

Stow-on-the-Wold

OK

1454

Rangeworthy

Chipping Sodbury


Chipping Sodbury. Agree.

Chipping Sodbury

Chipping Sodbury

OK

1461

Annan

Gretna


Gretna. Agree.

Gretna

Gretna

OK

1470

Edinbane

Isle of Skye - Edinbane


Isle of Skye - Edinbane. Agree.

Isle of Skye - Edinbane

Isle of Skye - Edinbane

OK

1471

Broadford

Isle of Skye - Broadford


Isle of Skye - Broadford. Agree.

Isle of Skye - Broadford

Isle of Skye - Broadford

OK

1477

Congleton
(See also 1260)

Holmes Chapel


Holmes Chapel. Agree.

Holmes Chapel

Holmes Chappel (2003–2007) then corrected to Holmes Chapel in 2007.

NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.

1478

Portree

Isle of Skye - Portree


Isle of Skye - Portree. Agree.

Isle of Skye - Portree

Isle of Skye - Portree

OK

1482

Hull

Hull

Hull

Hull

Kingston-upon-Hull would be a better name.

1485

Docking

Hunstanton


Hunstanton. Agree.

Hunstanton

Hunstanton

OK

1488

Great Shefford

Hungerford


Hungerford. Agree.

Hungerford

Hungerford

OK

1489

Fareham
(See also 1329)

Bishops Waltham


Bishops Waltham. Agree.

Bishops Waltham

Bishops Waltham

OK

1491

Nettlebed

Henley-on-Thames


Henley-on-Thames. Agree.

Henley-on-Thames

Henley on Thames (2003–2010) then corrected to Henley-on-Thames in 2010.

NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.

1507 4

Alford (Lincs)

Alford

Clashes with 1975. Suggest Alford (Lincs).

Alford (Lincolnshire) (2003) then corrected to Alford (Lincs) later in 2003.

Alford (Lincs)

NTNP now OK.
SABC OK.

1507 5

Spilsby

Spilsby

01507 - contains two rather than three charge groups. 01507 5, like the rest of the range bar Alford, is Louth, and not Spilsby - Spilsby is 01790. The reference to Spilsby should be deleted.

Spilsby removed (2003–2005) then added again in 2005.

Spilsby (2003- )

Horncastle would be a better name for 1507 2 and 1507 5.
Spilsby is 1790.

15395

Grange over Sands [sic]

Grange-Over-Sands [sic]


Grange-Over-Sands (2003–2011) then corrected to Grange-over-Sands in late 2011.

Grange over Sands (2003–2010) then corrected to Grange-over-Sands in 2010.

NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT.)

1543

Burntwood

Cannock


Cannock. Agree.

Cannock

Cannock

OK

1559

Llandyssul [sic]

Llandyssul [sic]

Llandyssul (2003–2011) then corrected to Llandysul in late 2011.

Llandyssul (2003–2010) then corrected to Llandysul in 2010.

NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT.)

1561

Fordoun

Laurencekirk


Laurencekirk. Agree.

Laurencekirk

Laurencekirk

OK

1562

Stourbridge
(See also 1384)

Stourbridge


Consider using Kidderminster.

Kidderminster

Kidderminster

OK (using C&W suggested name).

1582

Markyate
(See also 1442)

Luton


Luton. Agree.

Luton

Luton

OK

1588

Craven Arms

Bishops Castle


Bishops Castle. Agree.

Bishops Castle

Bishops Castle

OK

1594

Lydney

Lydney


Consider using Dean.

Lydney

Lydney

OK

1598

Brayford

Lynton


Consider using Barnstable [sic] [Bad idea].

Lynton

Lynton

OK

1603

Norwich_

Norwich

Norwich

Norwich_ (2000–2012) then corrected to Norwich in early 2012.

NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.
Trailing space in SABC removed in early 2012.

1636

Newark

Newark

Newark

Newark

Newark-on-Trent would be a better name.

1637

Newquay
(See also 1841)

Newquay

Newquay

Newquay

OK

1661

Wylam

Prudhoe


Prudhoe. Agree.

Prudhoe

Prudhoe

OK

1668

Belford

Bamburgh


Consider using Wooler.

Bamburgh

Bamburgh

OK

1675

Meriden
(See also 1676)

Coleshill


Coleshill. Agree.

Coleshill

Coleshill

OK

1676

Meriden
(See also 1675)

Meriden


Meriden. Agree.

Meriden

Meriden

OK

1680

Craignure

Isle of Mull - Craignure


Isle of Mull - Craignure. Agree.

Isle of Mull - Craignure

Isle of Mull - Craignure

OK

1681

Fionnphort

Isle of Mull - Fionnphort


Isle of Mull - Fionnphort. Agree.

Isle of Mull - Fionnphort

Isle of Mull - Fionnphort

OK

1684

Hanley Swan

Hanley Swan

Suggest using Tewkesbury.

Suggest using Malvern.

Malvern

Malvern

OK (using C&W suggested name).

1686 4

Llanidloes

Llandiloes [sic]

Spelling error. Use Llanidloes.

Llanidloes

Llanidloes

OK. Spelling error fixed in 2003.

1688

Tobermory

Isle of Mull - Tobermory


Isle of Mull - Tobermory. Agree.

Isle of Mull - Tobermory

Isle of Mull - Tobermory

OK

1689

Swanley
(See also 1322 & 1959)

Orpington


Orpington. Agree.

Orpington

Orpington

OK

1695

Skelmersdale (Rainford)
(See also 1744)

Skelmersdale


Skelmersdale. Agree.

Skelmersdale

Skelmersdale

OK

1697

Brampton

Brampton

Brampton should be 016977, not 01697.

Correctly listed as 016977 (2003–2004) then incorrect 01697 (2005- ).

Correctly listed as 16977 (2001–2002) then incorrect 1697 (2003- ).

16977 is a five-digit area code.

1707

Colney Heath
(See also 1727)

Welwyn Garden City

Suggest using Potters Bar.

Consider using Potters Bar.

Welwyn Garden City

Welwyn Garden City

OK (BT and C&W suggested Potters Bar).

1720

Scillonia

Isles of Scilly


Isles of Scilly. Agree.

Isles of Scilly

Isles of Scilly

OK

1727

Colney Heath
(See also 1707)

St Albans


St Albans. Agree.

St Albans

St Albans

OK

1737

Merstham
(See also 1883)

Redhill


Redhill. Agree.

Redhill

Redhill

OK

1744

Rainford
(See also 1695)

St Helens


St Helens. Agree.

St Helens

St Helens

OK

1753

Iver
(See also 1895 & 1784)

Slough


Slough. Agree.

Slough

Slough

OK

1770

Brodick

Isle of Arran


Isle of Arran. Agree.

Isle of Arran

Isle of Arran

OK

1784

Iver
(See also 1895 & 1753)

Staines


Staines. Agree.

Staines

Staines

OK

1790

Spilsby
(See also 1507)

Spilsby


Spilsby. Agree.

Spilsby

Spilsby

OK

1806

Voe

Shetland


Shetland. Agree.

Shetland

Shetland

OK

1807

Ballindalloch

Ballindalloch

Ballindalloch

Ballindalloch

OK

1821

Coupar Angus
(See also 1828)

Kinross

Consider using Kinrossie or Errol. Kinross is 01577 and many miles away.

Kinross [sic]. Agree
(See BT comments).

Kinrossie

Kinrossie

OK (using BT suggested name).

1828

Coupar Angus
(See also 1821)

Coupar Angus


Coupar Angus. Agree.

Coupar Angus

Coupar Angus

OK

1832

Clopton

Clopton


Suggest using Oundle.

Clopton

Clopton

OK

1841

Newquay
(See also 1637)

Newquay

Consider using Padstow.

Newquay (2003- )

Newquay (2003- )

Clashes with 1637. C&W suggested Padstow in 2003.

1843

Thanet

Thanet

Thanet

Thanet

OK (Thanet is a region not a town).

1847

Thurso / Tongue

Thurso / Tongue

01847 would be better shown in the same way as 01339. Use 01847 Thurso (8) and Tongue (6) as these are non-adjacent charge groups.

Thurso [5,8] / Tongue (6) (2003–2005) then changed to Thurso (2,3,4,5,8) / Tongue (6,7,9) in 2005.

Thurso (8) / Tongue (6) (2002) then Thurso (5,8) / Tongue (6) (2003) then Thurso (2,3,4,5,8) / Tongue (6,7,9) 2004 onwards.

OK

1851 7,8

Stornoway

Stornaway [sic]

Spelling error. Use Stornoway.

Stornoway

Stornoway

OK. Spelling error fixed in 2003.

1856

Kirkwall

Orkney


Orkney. Agree.

Orkney

Orkney

OK

1864

Abington

Abington

Abington

Abington

OK (The Abington exchange is located in Crawford).

1870

Benbecula

Isle of Benbecula


Isle of Benbecula. Agree.

Isle of Benbecula

Isle of Benbecula

OK

1877

Trossachs

Callandar [sic]

Callandar [sic]. Agree.

Callandar (2003–2011) then corrected to Callander in late 2011.

Callander

NTNP now OK.
SABC OK.
(Error persists in TACT.)

1878

Lohboisdale [sic]

Lochboisdale


Lochboisdale. Agree.

Lochboisdale

Lohboisdale (2003–2005) then corrected to Lochboisdale in 2005.

NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.

1883

Merstham
(See also 1737)

Caterham


Caterham. Agree.

Caterham

Caterham

OK

1885

Bromyard
(See also 1886)

Pencombe

Suggest using Bromyard.

Pencombe (2003- )

Pencombe (2003- )

In renaming 1885 Ofcom renamed the wrong area.

1886

Bromyard
(See also 1885)

Bromyard

Suggest using Leigh Sinton.

Bromyard (2003- )

Bromyard (2003- )

Knightwick or Leigh Sinton would be a better name for 1886. Bromyard businesses use 1885.

1889

Dapple Heath

Rugely [sic]

Rugely [sic]. Agree.

Rugely (2003–2011) then corrected to Rugeley in late 2011.

Rugeley

NTNP now OK.
SABC OK.
(Error persists in TACT.)

1890 6

n/a

n/a

Ayton (7) (2003–2004) then changed to Ayton (5,6,7,9) in 2005.

Coldstream (2003–2005) then corrected to Ayton in 2005.

NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.

1895

Iver
(See also 1753 & 1784)

Uxbridge


Uxbridge Agree.

Uxbridge

Uxbridge

OK

1902

Wolverhampton
(See also 1922)

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton

OK

1908

Wolverton

Milton Keynes


Milton Keynes. Agree.

Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes

OK

191 2,4,6,8

Tyneside

Tyneside

Tyneside

Tyneside

Newcastle-upon-Tyne would be a better name.

191 5

Wearside

Sunderland


Sunderland. Agree.

Sunderland

Wearside (2003–2007) then corrected to Sunderland in 2007.

NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.

1920

Knebworth
(See also 1438)

Ware


Ware.
No comment.

Ware

Ware

OK

1922

Wolverhampton
(See also 1902)

Walsall


Walsall.
No comment.

Walsall

Walsall

OK

1926

Leamington Spa

Warwick


Suggest Leamington Spa.

Warwick

Warwick

OK

1928

Frodsham

Runcorn

Runcorn. Agree.

Runcorn

Runcorn

OK

1931

Shap

Bampton

Suggest continuing to use Shap.

Suggest Shap.

Shap

Shap

OK (using BT and C&W suggested name).

1932

Esher
(See also 1372)

Esher

Clashes with 1372. Suggest Weybridge.

Weybridge

Weybridge

OK (using C&W suggested name).

1934

Weston-Super-Mare [sic]

Weston-Super-Mare [sic]

Weston-Super-Mare (2003–2011) then corrected to Weston-super-Mare in late 2011.

Weston-Super-Mare (2003- ). Should be Weston-super-Mare.

NTNP now OK.
Error in SABC. Should be Weston-super-Mare.
(Error persists in TACT.)

19467

Gosforth (Mixed)

Gosforth

Gosforth. Agree.

Gosforth

Gosforth (Mixed) (2003- ). Should be Gosforth.

NTNP OK.
Error in SABC. Should be Gosforth.

1952

Wellington

Telford


Telford.
No comment.

Telford

Telford

OK

1953

Attleborough

Wymondham


Wymondham.
No comment.

Wymondham

Wymondham

OK

1959

Swanley
(See also 1322 & 1689)

Westerham


Consider Swanley or Biggin Hill.

Westerham

Swanley (2003–2007) then corrected to Westerham in 2007.

NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.

1963

Templecombe

Wincanton


Wincanton. Agree.

Wincanton

Wincanton

OK

1975 5

Alford (Aberdeen)

Alford

Clashes with 1507. Suggest Alford (Scotland).

Alford (Aberdeenshire) (2003–2005) then corrected to Alford (Aberdeen) in 2005.

Alford (Aberdeen)

NTNP now OK.
SABC OK.

1980

Bulford Camp

Amesbury


Amesbury. Agree.

Amesbury

Amesbury

OK

1983

Ryde

Isle of Wight


Isle of Wight. Agree.

Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight

OK

1984

Stogumber

Watchet


Watchet. Agree.

Watchet

Watchet

OK (The Watchet exchange is located in Williton).<!--

1987

n/a

n/a

Ebbsfleet

Ebbsfleet

OK. New area code introduced in 2008. -->

1992

Hoddesdon

Lea Valley

Suggest continuing to use Hoddesden.

Consider Waltham Cross.

Lea Valley

Lea Valley

OK (BT and C&W each suggested a different name).

1994

St Clears

Whitland

Suggest continuing to use St Clears.

Suggest using St Clears.

St Clears

St Clears

OK (using BT and C&W suggested name).

28 10,11

Nothern [sic] Ireland National Dialling

n/a

n/a

Nothern Ireland National Dialling (2003–2010) then corrected to Northern Ireland National Dialling in 2010.

SABC now OK.

28 40

Banbridge

Bambridge [sic]

Spelling error. Use Banbridge.

Spelling error. Use Banbridge.

Banbridge

Banbridge

OK. Spelling error fixed in 2003.

28 43

Newcastle

Newcastle

Could cause confusion. Suggest Newcastle (Co Down).

Newcastle (Co. Down)

Newcastle (2003–2010) then corrected to Newcastle (Co. Down) in 2010.

NTNP OK.
SABC now OK (using C&W suggested name).

28 66

Enniskillen

Enniskilen [sic]

Spelling error. Use Enniskillen.

Spelling error. Use Enniskillen.

Enniskillen

Enniskillen

OK. Spelling error fixed in 2003.

28 81

Newtownstewart

Newtonstewart [sic]

Spelling error. Use Newtownstewart.

Spelling error. Use Newtownstewart.

Newtownstewart

Newtownstewart

OK. Spelling error fixed in 2003.

28 90

Belfast City

Belfast


Belfast. Agree.

Belfast

Belfast City (2003- ). Should be Belfast.

NTNP OK.
Error in SABC. Should be Belfast.

28 91

Bangor

Bangor

Clashes with 1248. Suggest Bangor (Co Down).

Bangor (Co. Down)

Bangor (2003–2010) then corrected to Bangor (Co. Down) in 2010.

NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.

See Also

01207

The 01207 area code covers almost the entire area known as Derwentside in the county of Durham. The...