21 August 2009

Ordnance Survey puts The Black Country on the map

The first ever Ordnance Survey maps to include ‘The Black Country’ have been rolling off the presses today (21 August) at the mapping agency’s Southampton head office.

The OS Landranger Map 139 will now show the region by name and has been retitled “Birmingham & Wolverhampton including The Black Country”. The maps will now be folded, packed and sent to retailers across the country to go on sale in mid-September.

The inclusion of The Black Country follows discussions with local councils, MPs and the Chamber of Commerce, who see it as a way of highlighting the area’s cultural and historical significance.

Peter Mathews CMG, President of The Black Country Chamber of Commerce, comments: “For The Black Country, which is where the Industrial Revolution started, to be officially recognised by Ordnance Survey is a great plus for Black Country and West Midlands business.

“Now people will be able to find us, they will be able to come to invest, to bring jobs and to do business, and without the strong support and help that we have had from Ordnance Survey this would not have happened.”

Ordnance Survey usually does not show places on its maps that aren’t geographically defined, like a house, a road or an administrative boundary, but felt moved to react to the strong feeling in the region. Nicole Perry, of Ordnance Survey, comments: “We’re always happy to hear suggestions for changes to our maps and I hope that by now showing The Black Country we can help draw attention to the region’s historic and continued contribution to Britain.”

While Ordnance Survey is best known for its paper maps, like the famous OS Landranger Map series, they make up just a tenth of the work it does each year. Its main activity now centres on creating digital mapping data that underpins a range of applications, from in-car satnavs and emergency service response to flood defence planning.

However, the mapping agency has seen a surge in paper map sales this summer, which it believes is due to more people taking their holidays in Britain instead of flying abroad.

Notes to editors:

The new OS Landranger Map 139 will be officially presented at The Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s Exhibition and Awards on 11 September.

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Head of Corporate Communications - Rob Andrews

Email: rob.andrews@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8005 5563

Senior Communications & PR Officer - Paul Beauchamp

Email: paul.beauchamp@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8005 5564

Press Office fax: (+44) 023 8005 6156