On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 23:07:32 +0000, Clive Page
wrote:

The first transition was the introduction of the "020" code running in
parallel with the old codes, but with the local numbers staying at seven
digits. During this short period you could call (e.g.) London Transport
enquiries from a telephone in London by dialling any of the following:
"222 1234" or "0171 222 1234" or "0207 222 1234" so that the new area
codes were then genuinely "0207" and "0208".

I can see how you are thinking, but the "new area codes" were *never*
"genuinely 0207 and 0208". During the period of parallel running,
subscribers in London could continue to dial the 7-digit number if
calling within the 0171 or 0181 code areas, or the full number with
the 0171 or 0181 prefix, *OR* they could dial the new-style number
which began 020, but only in its entirety.

But then the second transition occurred, with three components: firstly
0171/0181 codes were withdrawn, secondly local numbers changed from
seven digits to eight, and thirdly the "new" area codes changed from
0207 and 0208 to just 020.

What actually happened was that 0171/0181 codes were withdrawn,
meaning that you could no longer dial the previous numbers in their
7-digit or 11-digit forms, and at the same time it was now possible to
dial the 8-digit forms of the new-style numbers.

One notes with surprise that an extraordinary number of shop-fronts and
commercial vehicles appear to have been re-painted in the brief period
during which the area codes were 0207 and 0208, and not to have been
re-painted afterwards.

But the area codes were *never* 0207 and 0208 - this is just a (very)
commonly-held misconception because the changeover wasn't communicated
well enough.

Charlie

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