News Release

8th August 2002

POST CODE CHANGES IN BURNTWOOD

Michael Fabricant has asked the Royal Mail to delay the implementation of post code changes which will affect parts of Burntwood with the WS7 8 postcode. In a letter to Brian Davies, Manager of the Address Management Centre in Shrewsbury, Michael has said:

"My main concern is that constituents and businesses in the area should be given as much warning as possible about the changes. I believe that if changes are likely to come into effect as early as April 2003, this is insufficient time to enable householders and businesses to make appropriate changes without incurring extra costs. Business customers will need time to use up stocks of stationery and promotional materials.

"I do appreciate that there will be a 12 month transitional period during which the old address will continue to be valid, but I would be grateful if you would put back the date to January 2004 when these proposals are likely to be implemented."

The post code changes will affect householders and businesses with postcodes beginning WS7 8. The Royal Mail plan to make the change in April 2003 with an overlap of about 12 months when both the old and new codes can be used. Michael Fabricant has asked that these changes be put back until at least 2004.