The Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland (OSNI) today urged more district councils to help the agency produce up-to-date street maps of the Province’s main towns.

Chief Executive, Mick Cory made the call following inaccurate press reports earlier this week on OSNI’s role and responsibility in producing street maps.

Speaking this morning, Mr Cory said: “As a publicly funded Government Agency, we must recover the full cost of our products, but I would like to make it clear that no decision has been taken to axe street maps.

"However, out-of-date maps were withdrawn four years ago and we then asked all local councils if they would co-operate with us in the production of a new series covering the 26 district council areas.

“Unfortunately the response was slow initially, with only Lisburn City Council and Banbridge District Council taking positive action to share the costs with us. However, I am pleased to say that since then a number of other councils have shown interest and I hope the remainder will also come on board. We are very keen to ensure that Northern Ireland has up-to-date street maps to sell to the public.”

Mr Cory explained that street maps derived from OSNI’s comprehensive data contain less information in terms of buildings, fences, etc, than that held on the Large Scale Database and are ‘generalised’ with buildings blocked out and road widths exaggerated to make room for readable text.

“This involves additional work and expense," he added. "Partnership with local councils is therefore very important, not only to share the costs, but also to ensure that the product is tailored to meet the needs of individual areas."

Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland (OSNI) is the official Government organisation responsible for supplying maps, mapping information, and mapping and Geographic Information services for Northern Ireland.

It provides maps in paper and digital form, as well as aerial imagery, geographically referenced address, boundary, road and other mapping related data in support of business, government administration and leisure activities.

(MB)