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Charity Sustrans and mapping expert Ordnance Survey join forces to offer comprehensive and user-friendly data on the National Cycle Network. Free data layer in OS Maps capitalises on the Network’s popularity, with 786 million cycling or walking trips recorded in UK annually. Data shows over half of the UK’s population live within a mile of the Network.

Walking and cycling paths on the National Cycle Network will from now on be available on the official Ordnance Survey map.

 

The new partnership between the walking and cycling charity Sustrans and mapping experts Ordnance Survey (OS) will help more people to discover and access the Network.

The organisations have joined forces to provide detailed, user-friendly and accurate information on the Network’s 16,575-miles of traffic-free and quiet on road cycling and walking routes spanning the whole of the UK.

This information will be available as a free layer on the OS Maps website only and will help more people to discover routes in their local area and plan weekend trips away.

Each year around 4.4 million people use the Network, for leisure, commuting and the school run. In 2017, there were 410 million walking trips and 377 million cycling trips on the Network.

The data also showed that around the UK, more than half of the population live a mile or less from the network.

Ordnance Survey and Sustrans are confident the data will help greater numbers of people access more of the UK and enjoy the benefits of OS Maps.

Xavier Brice, CEO of Sustrans, recently said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Ordnance Survey to open up walking and cycling on the National Cycle Network to more people.

“The Network is a well-loved, well-used asset that’s enjoyed by millions of people across the UK every year. Our work with OS is one of the first steps in helping us improve the user experience and create more accessible paths for everyone. We hope the new maps inspire more people to get out, discover and explore all that the Network has to offer – whether that’s on wheels or by foot, for commuting or leisure purposes.”

Nick Giles, Managing Director of Ordnance Survey Leisure, recently said:

“It’s great that we’ll be able to provide cyclists and walkers with the amazing benefits of OS Maps and open up the National Cycle Network to so many people. We love the focus Sustrans has on making the outdoors more accessible no matter where they live, what age they are and what background they’re from. OS Maps users will also love the new layer to help them find new cycle routes and explore more on two wheels.”

The OS map can also be accessed through Sustrans newly launched website, which offers a simple way to search for routes on the Network.

Contact us

For more information:

Contact: David Jones, Media Executive

Email: david.jones@os.uk

Phone: (+44) 023­80 055565