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A tale of two towns: Richmond, left, and Hounslow, right
Residents of a London suburb are celebrating after their neighbourhood finally won official recognition from the Royal Mail after a 40-year campaign.
The decision will mean Whitton can be used as part of a correct postal address, in a move that locals hope will lead to a surge in house prices.
They are set to receive letters within days giving them the chance to approve Royal Mail’s decision. They believe it will lead to the area becoming more associated with affluent Richmond-upon-Thames than less wealthy Hounslow.
Whitton sits by the Thames in the south-west of the capital. A historical anomaly means it is in the borough of Richmond, whose residents have included Angelina Jolie, Mick Jagger and Sandra Bullock, but falls within the TW3 and TW4 postcodes of less affluent Hounslow.
Envelopes that had “Whitton” written on them often had the name scribbled out and replaced by “Hounslow” by Post Office sorting staff.
Business Secretary Vince Cable, whose Twickenham constituency includes Whitton, backed locals who claim their current situation affects everything from house prices to insurance premiums, and leads to confusion when applying for school places or using council services.
Mr Cable wrote in a newsletter: “We have managed to secure, subject to a public consultation, a commitment from the Royal Mail to put ‘Whitton’ into the addresses of the affected properties.” He told the Standard: “Whitton has got a very strong sense of community. There’s the traders’ groups, the scouts — it’s part of their identity but they are not allowed to use it as part of their postal address.”
However, locals have been accused of snobbery, while union bosses say Mr Cable has put undue pressure on the Post Office — which he privatised.
About 2,500 homes around Whitton town centre, near Twickenham rugby stadium, will be affected. Postcodes will remains the same. People in Argyle Avenue said they expected house prices to rise by up to 10 per cent.
Local girl: singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor grew up in the 'posh end' of Hounslow
Gerry Keegal, 55, a shooting coach who has lived in the street since 1989, said: “I was delighted. I’m waiting for them to change the postcode — then I will change my business cards.”
Lilly Kambo, 52, a court clerk, added: “It’ll be nice if we can put Whitton down instead of Hounslow and not have our post returned with Whitton crossed out.” Her husband Phopinder said: “We are getting Richmond rates. Why should we pay Richmond rates and get a Hounslow address? I think house prices will go up £30,000 or £40,000 because of this.” Royal Mail spokeswoman Sally Hopkins said: “We have decided to add Whitton as a locality on our postcode address file. We will consult with residents. Customers sending post to Whitton should always use the appropriate postcode.”
Richmond
Richmond was founded with the construction of Henry VII’s palace in the 16th century — and the affluent borough remains a home for modern-day celebrity royalty.
Sir David Attenborough, Sir Mick Jagger, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are among the current crop of stars who call the area home.
The average house price in the borough, where crime is low, is £820,337 — up 9.6 per cent in the past 12 months. The most expensive homes on desirable Richmond Hill can command prices upwards of £6 million. The view from the hill of the Thames and fields below is the only one in the UK protected by an Act of Parliament. Richmond Park, Kew Gardens, Bushy Park and Old Deer Park are among the area’s other attractions.
Hounslow
Hounslow's reputation as a haunt of “highwaymen and footpads” dates back to its time as military camp for Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers.
For 200 years the Heath — now the site of Heathrow Airport — was known as the most dangerous place in Britain, stalked by thieves holding up wealthy visitors travelling West.
Now, youth and knife crime is falling but the area has a reputation for being “rough around the edges”.
Its proximity to the airport has helped to turn the area into an economic hub in west London and a tourism campaign has been launched. And while it may lack Richmond’s cobbled streets, the borough is home to stunning Chiswick House, the Jacobean Boston Manor house and Gunnersbury Park.
It was the birthplace of rock stars Phil Collins, Elvis Costello and Ian Gillan of Deep Purple, and singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor grew up in the posh end.
The average house price is £330,191 according to Zoopla, after an 8.9 per cent increase in the past 12 months.
It is a cultural melting pot, with some 120 languages spoken.
- then they'll moan to the evening Standard about the 'mansion tax'. 
just off the picture. 
