WIREDGOV

The INSPIRE Directive establishes a framework for easier sharing of geographic information among European public bodies and improved accessibility to the public. One of the first steps for organisations producing data which falls under INSPIRE was the creation of metadata. Ordnance Survey’s metadata is now available for other public bodies and the public to access on their website and on data.gov.uk

In addition, customers of the OS OnDemand web map service will be able to view INSPIRE-related products as a raster image via an INSPIRE-compliant view service. The service, which delivers Ordnance Survey’s most up-to-date mapping over the web to an organisation in seconds, has recently upgraded to ensure compliance and added more raster images of products. These include Strategi, Meridian 2, OS VectorMap Local, Land-Form PROFILE and OS MasterMap Integrated Transport Network Layer. A further update later in the year will see OS VectorMap District and the National Address Gazetteer added to OS OnDemand.

Peter ter Haar, Ordnance Survey’s Director of Products said, “This is an exciting time for spatial information and we’re very pleased to have reached this milestone in achieving INSPIRE compliance. A joined‑up approach to creating, recording and using GI will benefit organisations and businesses across the EU.

“Being able to view INSPIRE-related products through OS OnDemand will also be of benefit to many of our current customers. It could reduce their need to build their own internal web map services to view the Ordnance Survey products available to them through the Public Sector Mapping Agreement and One Scotland Mapping Agreement.”

Ordnance Survey used the UK Location Metadata Editor to create, edit and validate its metadata. Ordnance Survey created the Metadata Editor for the UK Location Programme, as one of their technical delivery partners. The Metadata Editor was built using the GeoNetwork platform, and made available in two formats – a web-based online version and a downloadable version.

The metadata can be accessed on the Ordnance Survey website  http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/xml/products/

To view the raster images included in the new INSPIRE-compliant web map service, visit the OS OnDemand website http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/web-services/os-ondemand/index.html

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