The Guardian (and other papers) announced today that Street View had been given the go ahead for the UK. I'm really excited about this! I find Street View fascinating but it will be even better when I actually recognise some of the places!

I wonder how long until this arrives on Google Maps? I know the cars have been in London and Manchester and other places. Days? Weeks?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jul/31/google.civilliberties

Is Google still using TeleAtlas data for StreetView too? I saw a Belgian TeleAtlas van (like a motorhome) going up the M1 (I think, although it could have been the M42/A42) on Monday.

My mum saw a StreetView car in Bolton (near Manchester) the other day too.

That's good news.

Weren't the cars spotted in italy and germany before the UK? I'm guessing they'll roll it out there first. But maybe they are waiting to roll it out in many countries in Europe all together.

Blimey. The Bolton News (Bolton's local paper) are on the ball with this story. I've just received an email and a phone call from them (after they read my comment here) asking where exactly the car was spotted and asking what I think about Google doing this. My answer was completely off-the-cuff and probably not what I actually think at all. Oh well... I guess the people of Bolton will think I'm an idiot now! :-D

Wow Tony that sounds fun. Bolton fame is good. I'm very suprised they are so on the ball! Is there an article on their website?

I was just passing through Bolton a few minutes ago on the train on my way back from Manchester where I work...back to Blackburn! I assume you live in Bolton? It's a cliche but...small world.

I can't find the article yet. I guess it may go in the paper tomorrow.

(I don't live in Bolton anymore but I am from there originally.)

The UK citizens are almost as paranoid as us Canadians! I'm surprised the French don't mind their citizens on display like this woman on her balcony as seen in the streetviewgallery blog.

Mapper99, please don't assume that all UK citizens are as paranoid as the UK media! :-)

Wait a minute! The UK has millions of government surveilance cameras and they were worried about Google?

read elsewhere that Google have hired 300 drivers to streetview Switzerland.

http://valleywag.com/357517/sergey-stymied-prius-doesnt-work-for-google-street-view

"In Europe, Google's on a massive hiring binge for the Street View feature of Google Maps, where camera-equipped vehicles snap photos of streetscapes. It's bringing on 300 drivers for the Switzerland-based effort. "

And my Auntie just saw a Google Street View car on Parkhills Road in Bury. So it definitely looks like Google's trying to cover the Greater Manchester region of the UK at the moment.