[Talk-GB] Definitive Paths Map Source

[Tom Hughes]

On 11/05/10 11:22, Ian Spencer wrote:

> I presume that the definitive map is a public document that should be
> freely available. (???!!!)

You assume wrongly. Well sort of - you have a right to inspect it but 
that doesn't mean you have a right to copy things from it.

The main problem is that definitive maps are drawn over OS maps and are 
therefore considered (by OS at least) to be derived from their mapping 
and hence local authorities are unable to give permission to copy from 
them even if they wanted to.

The issue of OS derived data is supposed to be getting cleared up, but 
for now it is still a problem.

> I know local authorities are responsible for the definitive maps in
> their areas. Is it practical to contact the LAs and get definitive maps
> in electronic form, or is there a central source (knowing that OS have
> not released this). If there is a problem, is there an opportunity to
> work with the Ramblers Assoc to get definitive way mapping released?

I suspect in most cases the definitive version of the definitive map is 
on paper so getting hold of the data electronically may be 
hard/impossible. That's not to say that the data may not be in the 
council's GIS system but simply that if you exercise your right to view 
it then you're likely to be shown a paper version.

Tom

-- 
Tom Hughes (tom at compton.nu)
http://compton.nu/