The first commercially-funded large-scale topographic mapping and address database created independently from Ordnance Survey (OS) was launched this week, in response to a local government demand for choice.
The GeoInformation Group said the data for UKMap was captured for use at a 1:1,000 scale, and includes detailed information on highways – down to the white line markings – and 3D topographical information necessary for tackling surface water flooding.
Seppe Cassettari, chief executive officer at the GeoInformation Group, told Surveyor that the firm would be ‘much more flexible than OS’ in allowing councils to share and alter the data without a charge.
The Local Government Association has pressed the OS to ease licencing restrictions (see below) which make it costly and complicated for councils to produce maps for the public using OS MasterMap data, such as on the location of street works.
Cassettari said the product, developed over 18 months by 100 people, had been found as accurate as the OS maps in independent assessments, based on the testing of random metre square points. He said technology changes had made the creation of an alternative map of UK towns and cities with aerial photography and terrain layers ‘not only technically feasible but commercially viable’.
The first UKMap product, a 1,700km2 London map, will be available from September, with the West Midlands, Manchester and other conurbations next year.
The company planned to map more than 500 towns and cities. Cassettari acknowledged this would exclude large parts of the country, but said the company was discussing producing a bespoke map for a county council.
UKMap would also, he claimed, provide the accuracy not offered by Google Earth, which San Diego City Council had used as part of its development planning process. ‘There’s no alternative to walking the streets, and that takes time,’ he said.
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