"Stephen Osborn" wrote in message
...

I live in the Borough of Lewisham but the boundary with Bromley is no more
than 200 yds away and there will be, of course, analagous places close to
Bexley but clearly in London.

If I cross the boundary into Bromley I do not see any material difference,
not immediately and not for many miles. In broad terms the centre of
Bromley and the center of Lewisham are very similar (and very similar to
many other 'town' centres, but that is a different topic).

London used to be a tiny area on the north bank of Thames and has
gradually
grown. It seems to me that where there is a continuous built up area
there
is one city (or Metropolitan Area if you want). By that standard, Bexley,
Bromley, Croydon etc are already part London and have been for many years.

People of the Black Country would seriously disagree with you as would the
people of Salford.