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INSPIRE is a European spatial information infrastructure that delivers to the users integrated spatial information services. These services will allow the users to identify and access spatial or geographical information from a wide range of sources, from the local level to the global level, in an inter-operable way for a variety of uses.
The general situation on spatial information in Europe has been one of fragmentation of datasets and sources, gaps in availability, lack of harmonisation between datasets at different geographical scales and duplication of information collection. These problems make it difficult to identify, access and use data that is available.
Last July, the INSPIRE team issued a call for data specifications to identify model data structures aimed to improve the situation across Europe. The NLPG was one of two data specifications accepted from across Europe to go forward to the Addresses and Technical Working Group. The NLPG was selected because it is structured on a National standard, which is based on the International standard ISO 19112. The selection team stated that "Implementing the standard at local level enables aggregation of data at a national and transnational level (England-Wales), which is an important aspect to deal with in INSPIRE. Furthermore the multi-lingual records of land and property units may give another valuable input for INSPIRE".
The NSG is one of ten data specifications that have been recommended for 'Transport networks'. Also based on a national implementation of ISO 19112, the selection team stated that the inclusion of the NSG "Can be justified by the references and descriptions for highway maintenance and utility street works. The multi-lingual street names may provide input also for the Addresses data theme."
In addition to the NLPG being selected as a reference dataset, as recognized experts in this field, Intelligent Addressing has been invited on the Addresses Technical Working Group. The Technical Working Group will examine users requirements to ensure that the specifications equally meet the requirements of users and can easily fit into the INSPIRE conceptual framework. Once the Group has accommodated the users requirements in the specification, they will propose a final version that becomes the technical part of the Implementing Rule for the addresses data theme. This means that from 2009 any new address dataset across Europe will have to accommodate the agreed data structure and any existing datasets by 2016.
Steve Brandwood, Geographic Information Team â Programme Manager at IDeA stated that "The decision to include the NLPG and the NSG as data specifications at the European level for INSPIRE vindicates the vigorous processes that local authorities across England and Wales have been working to over the past eight years. Both the NLPG and NSG are bringing significant benefits to users in England and Wales, and I am pleased that other users from across Europe will also be able to benefit from the experience gained from the UK implementation of ISO 19112.
20th February 2008
Notes to Editors:
Intelligent Addressing is a specialist private sector consultancy (an SME) employing recognised experts in addressing. It was originally set up to help develop the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) on behalf of local government and now manages the NLPG and NSG central data hubs under the terms of the Mapping Services Agreement (MSA) with local government.
Intelligent Addressing contact:
Gayle Gander, Head of Marketing | 0207 747 3500 | E-mail: [email protected] | www.intelligent-addressing.co.uk, www.thensg.org.uk, www.nlpg.org.uk
Editorial enquiries and colour separation requests:
William Allbrook | T: 01666 826641 | F: 01666 824668
The Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) The IDeA works in partnership with all councils, to enhance the performance of the best, accelerate the speed of improvement of the rest, and develop the sector as a whole. IDeA has brokered the Mapping Services Agreement (MSA) with Intelligent Addressing to develop the NLPG and NSG, through the Local Government Information House (LGIH), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Agency.
Working in partnership with the local government community developing national infrastructure projects that enable councils to deliver local services more effectively, LGIH acts as an intermediary between the public and the private sector enabling it to negotiate with private companies on behalf of local authorities in order to provide key parts of a technical infrastructure for improved service delivery.
The NLPG is a joint venture between the Information House and Intelligent Addressing Limited.
IDeA contacts:
Steve Brandwood, Programme Manager | 020 7296 6615 | Email: [email protected] | www.idea.gov.uk
Media: Paul Bailey | 020 7296 6529
