Bollocks
New (020) 8xxx xxxx are now allocated in central London also.

Learn your facts.
(EuroSong I love horse meat: best of all the animals, Thu 31 Mar 2011, 20:56, 1 reply)

well, years ago whilst working for BT we would not use the leading 0
Every fucking number has it so why state it. And the correct number is all the numbers. No other number will do if you want to make a call. Put a space where you fucking well want. It doesn't matter. Unless you are working in the exchange and need it for a cab box. It doesn't matter a fucking jot. There are no spaces - you can't press space. now fuck off....

A year of working the 100 line sets me against you number plebs.
(waxdart hello., Thu 31 Mar 2011, 23:46, closed)

"0" was the trunk line prefix, as I recall
All it did was tell the exchange that the subsequent string of digits should be routed externally.

So yes, the actual area code doesn't have an initial nought, but omitting the initial nought means that things don't work. It might not be part of the area code in fact, but it is in practice.

However, Galactic Yeti's point about 0207 and 0208 falls down if he tries to place an intra-London telephone call without the initial 7 or 8.
( flake has nothing against your right leg, Fri 1 Apr 2011, 2:27, closed)