Removal of road name

May we have:-

Q1. A reason why the name xxxxxx xxxxxx was put on the Ordnance Survey maps originally.

Q2. A reason why it was removed.

Q3. May we have copies of all correspondence relating to this matter?’

I confirm that Ordnance Survey does hold the information in relation to your first two questions, and provide this as follows:

Q1. Although we are not able to say with any certainty why the name xxxxxx xxxxxx was added to our mapping, we hereby explain the process of adding names to our mapping, which could explain the reason xxxxxx xxxxxx was 'put on' our mapping originally. 

When the Ordnance Survey County Series was mapped, 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).

Q2. Ordnance Survey located the ONB from The National Archives (TNA) to investigate the naming of this road, but there was inconclusive evidence in the ONB to demonstrate the authority upon which we have recorded the name xxxxxx xxxxxx.

As there was inconclusive evidence to confirm why we had placed the name xxxxxx xxxxxx on our mapping, and we were unable to confirm the legal authority upon which this road name was given, Ordnance Survey has removed it from our digital product.

In relation to your question three (Q3), I can confirm that Ordnance Survey does hold this information, however I regret to inform you that the information is exempt from disclosure under Section 40 (2) of the Freedom of Information Act, as it constitutes personal data, and its release would be a breach of the first principle of the Data Protection Act 1998, therefore we will not be releasing this information to you.

However, you are able to view our response to this request under the Freedom of Information Act at the following link to our website:

http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/aboutus/foi/questions/2010/0042.html

To the extent that the Public interest test applies (section 17 FOIA), we have determined that the public interest in question one and two is not a consideration as the requested information held by Ordnance Survey has been released to you.

Please note that your enquiry has been processed according to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal to our Appeals Officer at:

FOI Appeals Officer

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: FOI10100/October 2010