PAF® Overview
Data Version Q11/12
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Geographic Level |
Quantity |
| Areas | 124 |
| Outcodes | 2,986 |
| Sectors | 11,197 |
| Postcodes | 1,751,082 |
| Delivery Points | 28,977,039 |
| Large User | 144,055 |
| inc PO Boxes | 81,554 |
| Postcodes Added | 4,685 |
| Postcodes Deleted | 5,269 |
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| Post Towns | 1,500 |
| Localities | 30,488 |
| Thoroughfares | 369,953 |
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There are 633 places & street names containing the word “wind” |
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PAF Dynamics |
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The Postcode Address File is a dynamic file with changes on a daily basis. Within the last quarter there were.... |
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4685 net postcodes added |
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5269 net postcodes deleted |
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You can download a full list of all unit postcode additions and deletions in PDF format below.
Inserts/Deletes 11/12
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Data Support
PAF® Updates & Address Maintenance
The Royal Mail PAF® is a dynamic file. New properties are constantly being built and other properties demolished to make way. Every new, deleted or changed address requires an update by the Royal Mail to maintain the integrity of the file. The figures to the right include the number of postcodes added and deleted over a three month period. Sometimes changes to the mail delivery system are required that result in reallocation or recoding of existing postcodes - so you can't always assume that once a postcode is allocated to an address it won't change.
At BPH we process monthly updates to our master postcode databases from Royal Mail changes transactions and our major releases are quarterly in March, June, September & December. Depending on the application we usually recommend clients' take refreshes on a quarterly basis although we are happy to supply updates at whatever frequency is needed - from monthly to never.
In addition we retain postcode deletion data as far back as 1990. Put us to the test if you know an old postcode!
BPH Support Site
We take data protection and security seriously and our preferred method of delivery is by secure download of encrypted files using SFTP from our dedicated support site.
If you're in a hurry we can usually upload files for new clients within a few hours of order confirmation. For clients taking regular updates we email a notification as soon as the new files are available.
If you are an existing client currently taking our datasets on CD and you would like to migrate to this facility please contact us to establish your secure login.
Frequently Asked Questions
Inevitably, with issues as complex as postcode data supply and licencing there will always be questions. We have therefore attempted to answer as many as possible on our FAQ's page. There is also a facility to send us a question - and we will endeavour to provide an answer.
Software Developers & Data Integrators
At BPH, as you are now probably aware, we supply postcode data. This provides greater flexibility to software developers, or indeed anybody who wishes to integrate the data into any application. There is flexibility as to what level of data you need, how you store and access the data and, indeed, which geographical areas are required. All this amounts to significant reductions in both data supply costs and Royal Mail Licence fees.
In addition, as there is no software support element, and the data copies can be administered through the developer, we are able to offer significant discounts for multiple site copies. More details can be found on our Data Integrators page.