Source: Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council

http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/PressRel.nsf/PublishedM/01FDF0747308180B80257...

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Council ring the change: it's 01642 774774
Published: 12th Mar 2008

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council today announced plans to change its main telephone number to 01642 774774.

Council Leader Councillor George Dunning is convinced the switch to the new 01642 774774 from the 08456 126 126 number, which was created in the summer of 2004, will be a popular decision.

Councillor Dunning said: "I’m delighted to announce that we are changing from the 0845 number, that so many of you have told us you dislike, to a new number: 01642 774774.

"From now on, you can dial 01642 774774 and get exactly the same service from our Customer Contact Centre – at a local rate."

The 0845 number was originally introduced as a sensible precaution against a possible emergency in which Redcar & Cleveland House in Kirkleatham Street, Redcar could not be used and the Contact Centre had to be relocated.

But Councillor Dunning explained: "However, because of the continuing dislike of the 0845 number, we’ve re-evaluated that decision. There are now other options which we are exploring and it's clear there are far more pluses to a switch to the 01642 number."

The Council ICT Champion, Councillor Norman Pickthall, a Business Telecoms Specialist, has no doubts the switch is the right decision.

"Some citizens calling the 0845 number, those with call packages, were incurring unnecessary call charges. The switch back to the 01642 number means callers can now take advantage of their free call allowance."

He said: “Using the 0845 number was inconveniencing our citizens just to plan for a situation which is unlikely to ever happen.

“In the four years since it was introduced in the summer of 2004, it has never been necessary to relocate the service. What’s more none of our neighbouring Tees Valley councils have adopted the same approach, so we’re going back to a local number. I’m delighted we’re switching to 01642 774774.”

The Council is now starting an information campaign to ensure everyone is aware of the switch. Information about the new number is contained in the new Council Tax leaflets and there is information about the switch is on the Council's website and in all the Borough's branch libraries.

The 0845 number will continue to be available for some time to allow the new number to be included on documents, leaflets and signs as they are replenished, avoiding unnecessary costs.
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