21 February 2006

Mapping assembled for the seat of Welsh government

Landmark building added to Ordnance Survey’s most detailed data

The Senedd – the National Assembly for Wales’ new debating chamber – now features on the nation’s detailed mapping database, even though it has not yet been officially opened.

Surveyors from national mapping agency Ordnance Survey have used their pinpoint-measuring equipment to ensure the outline of the Cardiff Bay building is set out in fine detail in the most sophisticated computer mapping of the nation.

The £67 million building, designed by Lord Richard Rogers, hosted its first debate and First Minister's questions last week, and will be officially opened by the Queen on St David's Day, 1 March 2006.

The Senedd – parliament or senate in Welsh – uses natural wood and slate and is designed with energy efficiency in mind. It has won praise for its construction, winning the Building Research Establishment's highest award for sustainable construction.

Ordnance Survey staff used GPS technology, a hand-held pen tablet computer and a laser equipped electronic distance measuring device, to ensure the building was precisely mapped out in relationship to neighbouring developments such as the Wales Millennium Centre and the Assembly’s Visitor and Education Centre at the Pierhead building.

"This level of detail is far greater than people expect to find on a tourist or motoring map," says surveyor Steve Ellsworth. "But is absolutely essential for many businesses and public services that need extremely detailed mapping of the whole country on a day-to-day basis."

Across Britain, an average of 5,000 updates are made every day to the map-maker's database, from small property extensions to major prestigious new buildings like the new Senedd.

Ordnance Survey’s detailed mapping is used by organisations such as fire services to pinpoint the scenes of emergencies, solicitors dealing with the buying and selling of property, mobile phone companies to provide the public with location-finding services, and utility companies to track the routes of pipelines and cables.

The Senedd provides an open and welcoming environment for members of the public to visit and observe the Assembly at work. Visitors have access to the upper floor on the main plinth level from where they can view the debates below.

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Chief Press Officer - Scott Sinclair

Email: scott.sinclair@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2265

Senior Press Officer - Bryn Jones

Email: bryn.jones@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2708

Press Office fax: (+44) 023 8030 5295