Well the much-publicised Environment Agency Floodline number is an 0845 as well (0845 988 1188) - see http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1169736833/0

Northern Ireland flooding incident line 0300 200 0100.

Looks like a number of county councils are advertising 0300 numbers, but not the EA themselves.

The fair telecoms campaign is seeking to make contact with the Environment Agency to discuss the widely publicised "floodline" number.

There are bigger issues to be discussed in public at present, but we cannot maintain a campaign about the misuse of 084 numbers by public bodies without responding to this 0845 number being repeatedly presented as if it were a "normal" telephone number. It may be similar to a premium rate horoscope service in terms of what is offered, as well as the cost of calling it. In the latter respect, however, it should carry an appropriate warning message.

When we understand the position (in the context of the very mixed approach of the Environment Agency, as referred to above), we will make appropriate public comment.

CJT-80 wrote on Dec 7^th, 2013 at 4:38pm:

A fair point - I should have added a further comment some time ago.

As a point of principle, I do not provide public blow-by-blow commentary on engagement with organisations. I probably broke my own rule by commenting that we were seeking to make contact with the Environment Agency.

Contact was made, and the points were established in the context of imminent (at the time) announcements by Ofcom. When the Ofcom process fell into delay, attention for the public sector had shifted to work in general on the "telephone tax" - including the NAO inquiry, adjournment debate, PAC evidence session, work by the Cabinet Office and the PAC report. We are now awaiting the report of the Cabinet Office group, which we understand will include guidance / directions to Central Government departments and may also be addressed directly to all public bodies. The Environment Agency will be covered, either directly or through its relationship with DEFRA.

Whilst there is a formal status for the Fair Telecoms Campaign, the primary purpose of its limited resources is to support the efforts of all those who share its objectives and have the time and talents to see them realised. We reacted last year when the 0845 number was all over our television screens and in other media, hoping to capitalise on the poor impression that this created. Sadly there was not sufficient pressure around at that time, nor since, to prompt the necessary action. Whilst we wait for the Cabinet Office, we will be delighted to offer all support and assistance to anyone able to apply more pressure to the EA at this time, when again the number is receiving a lot of public attention.

In Scotland its run by the SEPA and they have this site http://www.floodlinescotland.org.uk/ on which they promote the 0845 number.

SilentCallsVictim wrote on Dec 8^th, 2013 at 2:13am:


I was only aware of it after searching the Database for an alternative to the 0845 number and finding it was listed with an 0345 equivalent.

I am not asking or suggesting you reveal any tactics at all.  I was merely wondering about contacting them.  However I have decided that as there is upcoming changes to NGN's and after the recent floods that it maybe best left to at least after the New Year before I engage with the EA regarding the Flood Line and the 0845 number.

SilentCallsVictim wrote on Dec 8^th, 2013 at 2:13am:


The BBC does not agree with this opinion as it states ;---

"The Say No To 0870 website has long campaigned against the use of higher-rate phone lines and provides "equivalent geographical numbers" as cheaper alternatives."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25523465