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3.  How to navigate around the maps

a)  Ordnance Survey mapping

Please be patient whilst the first map is generated.  You will see an animated i logo indicating that the map is being drawn down from the server.  This should take under 10 seconds but obviously depends on the power of your PC and its connections to the internet.  You will then be able to see a street map of the whole city.

The mapping on this website has been extracted from Ordnance Survey (OS) material.  OS maps, and maps created from OS material, are subject to Crown Copyright.  Users of our website are limited to viewing and downloading the mapping for private and non-commercial purposes only.  See the Ordnance Survey website for full information.

The Ordnance Survey are the UK's main mapping agency and they supply an extensive range of map styles (see below).

b)  Map styles

For users unfamiliar with OS mapping we suggest that you keep to the main 'default' map style on the site which is 'Internet Street Map'.  This map style contains enough detail to navigate yourself around the city using the search and map tools provided (see below).  If you wish to find out more about OS mapping we suggest you visit the Ordnance Survey website.

For those of you who have used OS mapping before the site delivers Internet Street Map as its main map style.  This can be turned off, and aerial photography turned, on by clicking on the Map Styles button (under Map Tools) and selecting from the drop down list.  The copyright implications for this photography is the same as for OS mapping.  You may find that the download time for aerial photography is longer than that for mapping.

If you are registered on the site you may find that you are offered more map styles than the aerial photography when you click on the map styles button.  These are 1:50,000 and 1:10,000 colour 'raster' mapping.  They are 'thresholded' to appear and disappear at appropriate scales when you zoom in.  You will notice that these map styles are watermarked to comply with OS copyright.         [Top]

c)  Boundaries  

Just beneath the Map Style button (under Map Tools) you will find a button called Boundaries.  Similar to the map button you will see a drop down list.  You can select from a range of geographic boundary data of the city such as wards and neighbourhoods.  Once selected the map will redraw itself and the boundaries will appear.

d)  Using the map tools

There are a range of map tools in the area beneath the map.  Most of these are similar to those found on other mapping websites.

Zoom - You will find a zoom bar with seven preset scales.  Just click on one of these seven 'boxes' to either zoom in or out (the zoom level box will turn red to indicate the level of zoom). Alternatively you can just click on either the circular + or - circles to zoom into the map a different preset level.  Spend some time using these to familiarise yourself with the various levels and scales.

The map itself contains a coloured scale bar with a metre figure in it.  This bar represents the distance on the ground according to this measure shown within it.  The scale bar will always appear on all types of mapping.

Zoom Area - Beneath these zoom tools you will see a Zoom Area tool.  Select this tool by clicking on it and then click on a point on the map.  Once you have clicked on a point on the map you can 'drag' a box around an area on the map.  On letting go of your mouse button you will see that the map redraws itself to an area indicated by the box that you 'dragged' over.  

Centre Map - Next to the zoom area tool you will see a Centre Map tool.  Select this tool by clicking on it and then click on a point on the map away from the centre.  On letting go of your mouse button you will see that the map redraws itself recentred on the point you clicked on.                                                [Top]

Previous - You will see a button called Previous. By clicking on this it will take you to the last map area you had displayed.

Whole City - You will see a button called Whole City. By clicking on this it will take you to the first map you saw when you entered the main map page. This is useful if you find yourself completely 'lost' on the mapping and wish to start again.

Yellow arrows/triangles - Next to the map area you will see  eight of these arrows/triangles.  By clicking on any of these it will take you one half of a map over in that direction.  

Advance map tools - If you are an advanced user you will find there are two more map tools next to the zoom bar.  These are tools to measure Areas and Distances.  They work in a similar way to the Zoom Area tool.  Just choose the appropriate tool, click on the map several times according to the area or distance you wish to measure.  When you come to the last point just double click and a pop up window will tell you what the measurement is.

e)  Search

Just beneath the Boundaries button (under Map Tools) you will find a button called Search.  You will be given the opportunity to search for both a postcode and a street.  Once you have typed your search into the appropriate box click on 'search'.

Postcode search - you should be presented with just one result if you have entered the full postcode. Now click on the 'Get Map' link to be taken to the appropriate area on the map (you will also see a boundary of the postcode appear on the map).                                                                                            [Top]

Street search - you may be presented with more than one result.  Just select the appropriate one and click on the 'Get Map' link next to it to be taken to the appropriate area on the map.  

Note - if you are an advanced user you will be given the ability to perform a more accurate search - down to building number or name.  Just click on the advance button in the main search window and you will be given the opportunity to put in more detailed information.

f)  Export

Only available to advanced users.

By clicking on the Export button a pop up window will appear giving you various export options.  Complete these as appropriate and click on 'Export'.  The map area that will be exported will be the same as that viewed on the screen.  

Note - you will need to use your image toolbar to carry out this export (only available in Internet Explorer 6 and above).

g)  Print

By clicking on the Print button you will be given the chance to print via a standard template within Internet Explorer.  The window that pops up will show you what the result will look like.

Note - if you are an advanced user you will be given the ability to perform various print styles.  Select which you require before clicking on the print button. Look at the 'hints and tips' shown on the print window to help you with this. The window that pops up will show you what the result will look like.

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