GGP helps highway authorities meet NSG deadline

08 May 2009, 3:55pm

GGP Systems has helped users of its award winning gazetteer management software meet changing legislations designed to improve information on the UK road network. Local Highways Authorities and Street Works Practitioners are required to comply with a new version of the Data Entry Conventions and Best Practice for the National Street Gazetteer (NSG) and a new Data Transfer Format specification in compliance with BS7666 2006. By working closely with users of GGP NGz, GGP ensured all clients migrated to the new standard by the 01 April deadline avoiding financial penalties.

“The support we have received from GGP has been first class,” commented Steve Farr, LLPG / LSG Database Manager at Hounslow Council. “The migration went smoothly and to time and we are now making regular contributions to the NSG in the new format.”

The NSG is a comprehensive list of over 1 million named and un-named streets, footpaths and thoroughfares. Conforming to the national data standard BS7666, it is the definitive source for anyone with an interest in streets and their usage and has over 300 organisations regularly using the data including utilities such as gas, water and electricity, telecoms, plus cable and communications companies.

The new data standards and transfer formats (DTF 7.1) will enable closer alignment with the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) – the first and only definitive list of addresses since the Domesday Book, and allow Highways Authorities to record additional information, such as height, weight and width restrictions and directional constraints against individual roads and streets.

“By helping our clients conform to these new standards and supporting them with the migration of their Local Street Gazetteers we are contributing to the development of an up to date, detailed and information rich database for every road and street in England and Wales,” said Tim Maxwell, Managing Director of GGP Systems. “These new developments will make the NSG more attractive to other potential users including Emergency Services and satellite navigation companies widening the appeal and use of the data.”

Part of GGP’s developments in gazetteer management software, NGz is designed to help Highways Authorities create, maintain and implement centralised street gazetteers in order to comply with government legislation, including the Traffic Management Act and the New Roads and Street Works Act, introduced to tackle congestion and reduce disruption to road users. GGP NGz can also be used to integrate the street gazetteer with a Highways Authority’s back office systems, partner organisations and the National Street Gazetteer hub, improving operational efficiencies and customer service.

Contacts: Prim Maxwell, GGP Systems, +44 (0)20 8686 9887, e-mail: prim@ggpsystems.co.uk, www.ggpsystems.co.uk

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