Removal of post code

According to Royal Mail you asked for our postcode to be deleted from the PAF file because you could not find us.  We have not moved and more to the point are still shown on the OS layer of MAGIC although you will no longer be able to find us using the postcode finder which incidentally worked just fine before you asked for our post-code to be deleted.  A search on Google mapping and Bing correctly identify our property so why were the Ordnance Survey unable to find it and as a result cause us so much trouble.

As you can imagine we are extremely unhappy at the consequences of your actions and would be grateful if you could provide an explanation.

Thank you for your e-mail dated 19^th June 2010.  We are pleased to provide you with the following information with regard to your request.

We are unable to say with any certainty why your address was removed.  However, we can make the assumption that the address was incorrectly categorised, and instead of it being identified as an address requiring updating it was set for deletion in error.

As you are aware, following the notification of this issue from yourself, we arranged for a surveyor to make a site visit to your address.

Our surveyor advises that he had a lengthy conversation with xxxxxx on Thursday 1^st July when visiting your address, and provided a detailed explanation and demonstration of ADDRESS-POINT® and the relationship between this Ordnance Survey product and Royal Mail PAF (Postcode Address Finder).

Our surveyor apologised to xxxxxx for the occurrence of this error, and explained that Ordnance Survey has now re-captured your address, which has been recorded in our data and will be available in the addressing product from September 2010.

I understand that you have also since been informed by Royal Mail that the address has been reinstated on their database, and that you are aware of the time elapse before all customers will receive this updated information.

In relation to your concern regarding emergency services being able to locate you, Ordnance Survey has a ‘Product update cycle’ whereby we forward the Ordnance Survey addressing product updates to the emergency services on their release, so they may load these onto their systems.

Please note that your enquiry has been processed according to the Freedom of Information Act (2000).  As all requested information has been provided, we have determined that in all the circumstances of this case the Public interest consideration (section 17 FOIA) is not applicable in this instance.

If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal to our Appeals Officer at:

Complaints Team

Customer Service Centre

Ordnance Survey

Romsey Road

SOUTHAMPTON

SO16 4GU 

Please include the reference number below. The Appeals Officer will ensure that the process has been followed correctly, questioning any decisions taken regarding the original response and recommending disclosure of additional information if appropriate.

Thank you for your enquiry.

Reference number: FOI1077/June 2010