One of the big issues is with importing rights of way data there can be
significant difference between the legal line shown in the data and what
exists on the ground. Most rights of way have never been accurately
surveyed, the lines were draw onto OS maps by parish councilors who were
not always familiar with maps.
What we see on OS is simply an overlay, there is no integration of data.
The big advantage of OSM is that we can map what actually exists on the
ground and we can also map important features such as hedges, fences,
stiles and kissing gates. Knowing which side of hedge you should be on
is importatnt and not always clear on OS maps, stiles render a path
unusable by many.
Umap allows you to overlay data from rowmaps,for example
http://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/shrewsbury-and-atcham_28099#11/52.6653/-2.7425
I must admit I am better at recording data than I am at sitting at a
computer and entering it, but my GPS does contain quite a lot of
Shropshire rights of way data. Although remember it is a very big
sparsely populated county with a huge number of rights of way. I do know
the man who has walked them all, or at least has attempted to. Not all
are usable, which is another reason not to simply import them.
But it is a big county, please do go out and map our rights of way. Ask
away if you need any advice.
BTW where are you based? I am in Wem, but often enjoy a beer in Shrewsbury.
Phil (trigpoint)
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