Authority to add street names

I would like to know how you came to add a street name to this private lane. I have assumed that you would have been advised by a local authority to add the name to your maps but I would like to know by what authority .

Will you therefore please give me the details of when and by whom the local authority, xxxxxx Council, gave you that direction?

Thank you for your letter dated 7^th April 2010. I regret to inform you that Ordnance Survey is unable to provide you with the information you have requested, as this information is no longer held by Ordnance Survey. I hereby explain the process in naming roads, and hope the contact information provided thereafter will assist you. I am unsure of the age of your property, therefore I have provided as much information as possible.

When the Ordnance Survey Country Series was mapped in 1880-1890 the process was for surveyors to add the name of a road to mapping at the time of survey, if there was visible evidence such as an existing name tablet (for which local authority confirmation would have already been sought).

If there was no visible evidence at the time of survey of an existing name, the surveyor would ask a resident for the name of the road. On receipt of the road name from a resident, the surveyor would then seek confirmation from the local authority. Any correspondence or confirmation received from the local authority in relation to the name of any road would be recorded in an Object Name Book (ONB).

Many of the ONBs from the County Series mapping were destroyed in the blitz, although some still exist. In the overhaul of County Series Mapping from the late 1940s until 1980, the same procedure was adopted and ONBs from this time still exist, although Ordnance Survey no longer holds ONBs.

We suggest you contact The National Archives who now hold ONB in archive for further information. ONBs will detail the authority Ordnance Survey has to add names to its mapping. You may contact The National Archives as follows:

The National Archives

Kew

Richmond

Surrey

TW9 4DU

Telephone: 0208 876 3444

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/contact

Please note that your enquiry has been processed to Freedom of Information guidelines.  As all requested information has been provided, we have determined that in all the circumstances of this case the Public interest consideration (section 17 FOIA) is not applicable in this instance.

If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal to our Appeals Officer at:

Complaints Team

Customer Service Centre

Ordnance Survey

Romsey Road

SOUTHAMPTON

SO16 4GU  

Please include the reference number below. The Appeals Officer will ensure that the process has been followed correctly, questioning any decisions taken regarding the original response and recommending disclosure of additional information if appropriate.

Thank you for your enquiry

Reference number: FOI1065/April 2010