Should Crayford be recognised as a separate town? We hear your views

Currently Crayford and Barnehurst addresses are classed as Dartford, despite many residents using Crayford as their postal town in correspondence.

New properties being categorised as Dartford has led Bexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett, as well as Crayford ward councillors, to fear the town is losing its identity.

Mr Evennett said: "I am both surprised and disappointed that Royal Mail will not listen to local residents and businesses.

"Crayford is a town in its own right with an expanding population and a long history.

"At a time when Royal Mail faces strong competition and their service is deteriorating, I would have thought that they might be willing to act on the concerns of their customers."

In a response to Mr Evennett, Royal Mail chief executive Moya Greene said: "Changes will only be made for postal operational and effiency reasons.

"We have no plans to change the designated postal town for Crayford."

Reporter REBECCA COMPTON asked shoppers in Crayford what they thought.

Andy Long, Dudley Webster and Hannah Draper

Andy Long, 55, from Upper Abbey Road in Belvedere said: "Crayford should be a town because they have done up the town hall and they are building loads of new flats. It is getting bigger."

Dudley Webster, 73, from Mount Pleasant Walk in Bexley said: "Crayford should be a town. It has been here for a few years now so why not? The Royal Mail should do what local people want, not what is more convenient."

Hannah Draper, 28, from Station Road in Crayford said: "We are next to Bexley and Dartford but Crayford is a town and should be recognised. I had problems when I moved here because the split between Dartford and Bexley is confusing."

Jesse Porter, Les Davey and Tosin Akiode

Les Davey, 54, from Burnham Road in Dartford said: "Crayford should be a town because it would be better for the people who live around here. It would be more identifiable."

Tosin Akiode, 35, from Mayplace Avenue in Crayford said: "It does not really matter to me because I have just moved here and it has not affected me. Perhaps it is a more important issue for people who have lived here longer."

Jesse Potter, 55, from Hurst Road in Bexley said: "Yes, it should be a town. It is big enough and it is expanding. I think the Royal Mail are not changing it to save costs, that’s the number one thing."

David Evennett MP with councillors Geraldene Lucia-Hennis, Melvin Seymour and Eileen Pallen.