You are here: Skip Navigation LinksHome » Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


What is map scale? ↑ Top

Consistently the most confusing thing for new users is understanding scale. Fixed scales relate mostly to printed maps as a digital map viewed onscreen will display at different sizes depending on factors such as screen resolution. A 2 hectare map is 141m x 141m ie square root of 2ha. Therefore to print this map at 1:1250 scale, 141m needs to be 141/1250 = 11.3cm. As a quick check follow this guide:

SCALE AREA SIZE PRINTED SIZE
1:200 <1 ha 36m x 36m 18cm x 18cm
1:500 <1 ha 90m x 90m 18cm x 18cm
1:1250 2 ha 141m x 141m 11.3cm x 11.3cm
1:1250 5 ha 224m x 224m 17.9cm x 17.9cm
1:500 2 ha 141m x 141m 28.2cm x 28.2cm
1:500 5 ha 224m x 224m 44.8cm x 44.8cm
1:2500 2 ha 141m x 141m 5.6cm x 5.6cm
1:2500 5 ha 224m x 224m 8.96cm x 8.96cm



Printing at Scale ↑ Top

When you purchase a map as a jpeg you will need to ensure the map is printed at the correct scale.
If you already know the scale you need it is often easier to select the "Word" or "PDF" options that are already at a fixed scale e.g. 1:1250.
You must ensure that your page layout size is set to "A4" and not "Letter" or "Legal" etc.
For PDF and Word files also ensure that "shrink to fit" or "fit to page" are not selected. Either of these will mean your map will no longer be at the correct size and therefore scale.
If in doubt simply measure a map once printed to confirm the size is as above and/or measure against the scale bar.


Cropping ↑ Top

Where a map needs to be printed at a scale larger than the paper it will be printed on ie 2ha map at 1:500 scale on A4 (28.3cm x 28.3cm), you will need to crop the map to fit. The cropping tool is found under the "Picture" toolbar on XP or under "Format" in Vista. 

Just remember to adjust the sizing first and crop afterwards to keep the scale consistent. You will also need to change any text on the page to reflect the new scale.


Am I licensed to use the map for anything? ↑ Top

You are licensed for a digital download for your own personal use and internal business use. If you intend to sell the map for profit however ie in a book, then you must seek additional licensing.


Why do I have to pay to only view a map? ↑ Top

Ordnance Survey value their maps both in terms of printed and digital maps and also in terms of the information gained from just viewing the map. They therefore charge royalties on both downloads and views and hence we need to pass this on.


How long can I use the map for? ↑ Top

12 months, which is usually much longer than you will need it for. If you do require to use a map after this then just get in touch on
info@streetwise.net


How up to date are the maps? ↑ Top

The Ordnance Survey updates maps on an ongoing basis . Areas of greatest change such as towns and cities tend to be updated more frequently. The vast majority of areas will be no more than 3 years old. Contact us if you are concerned an area has not been updated for longer than this and we will inform Ordnance Survey to add it to their update program as a priority.


What file format can I save the map in? ↑ Top

If you want a fixed scale map then we recommend selecting the 'Word' option, which is a jpeg embedded in a word document at the chosen scale i.e. 1:1250. It also has a North arrow and a scale bar and the centre coordinates. Jpegs and PNGs allow you to size at any scale or make the map fit the page using the scale bar to show the actual scale. If you use Autocad or a similar package and wish to be able to alter the map in part or whole then select either a DWG or DXF vector map.


Can I be invoiced on account? ↑ Top

On registering with us as a Corporate (CORP) account, we can invoice you on monthly basis. You decide the credit limit you require and once the first month has been authorised we will invoice you thereafter at the end of each month. Remember to add references for each search and you can cross-check these against your invoice.


Why I am not able to login to the system, view the map or download my map from the link? ↑ Top

If you were unable to login to the system, view the map or the service displays a message that "Due to prolonged inactivity the system has logged you out" then read this.

We use cookies to process your map, so if the cookies are not enabled the you will not be able to use the service properly.

To enable the cookies, if you are using the MS Internet Explorer, start by going to the TOOL menu then Internet Options --> Privacy --> Advanced --> Override automatic cookie handling; then accept the first-party and third-party cookies and check the Always Allow Session Cookies. Finally click OK to save the settings and click on Apply to make these changes.

For non Internet Explorer users the process will be similar.


Why when I click on the download link do I get a blank screen? ↑ Top

If this happens on either the emailed link or within your account under “maps purchased” then your computer is preventing access to the www.streetwise.net servers. You can either add our web address to your list of allowable sites or click on the link with the right-hand mouse button and select “save target as”.


My map has no road name on it, why? ↑ Top

When Ordnance Survey make maps they repeat road names every few hundred metres. Of course sometimes this means your map may not have a road name showing. Your simplest options in this case are to either select a larger map or shift the current one a little to include a map or alternatively use the "text add" tool onscreen.


My office uses maps all the time. Can we copy a Streetwise map? ↑ Top

You can either buy multiple copy licences when you buy your map if you only use a few maps per year or if you use more than say 10 maps per year you may want to consider an Ordnance Survey PMCL (Paper Map Copy Licence).


Can I measure distances on the maps? ↑ Top

The online tool allows distance measuring onscreen. Just select the chosen tool and click on the map to measure between each point. 

You can also use the scale bar to measure.


Can I measure area? ↑ Top

The online area tool allows a polygon to be drawn and the area it forms to be shown in m2.


Can I add text to the map? ↑ Top

The "Add Text" box allows text in various colours to be typed and added to any clicked point on the map. 


Can I automatically highlight a boundary. ↑ Top

By selecting the "Instant Polygon" any area clicked on can be highlighted automatically. This is especially useful for planning applications.

NB: Ensure the polygon is in the colour requested by the local authority.


How large can I print the maps? ↑ Top

The maps are optimised to fit on an A4 page with other information around it. If you want to print bigger than this and need help get in touch at info@streetwise.net


How do I search on street address? ↑ Top

Either use the partial address on the Royal Mail Postcode finder or use a free mapping website to select to the centre point coordinates 


What to do if the FAQs were not helpful? ↑ Top

Try the help button on the map view page.

Finally if this still has not helped then contact info@streetwise.net


DEMOS ↑ Top

Animated Full Demo
Pay-as-you-go Registration
Corporate Registration
Auto Polygon
Manual Polygon
Measurement
Black and White Maps
Benchmarks


BUYING YOUR PLAN ↑ Top

You are here because you need a Location, Site and/or Block Plan.

You likely need a printed scale of 1:1250 or 1:2500 and probably also one at 1:500 and maybe even at 1:200 or 1:100.

You may also be required to show the site boundary in red, the surrounding road names and a north arrow.

Our service is set up to make all of this easy for the least amount of cost.

If you understand printed scale you can purchase a single plan from us in JPEG or PNG format. You could then use this for more than one scale.

If taking a jpeg or PNG and setting its size is a bit too difficult then opt for one or more maps in MS Word or PDF. These are fixed scales so will print on an A4 at the chosen size without any other adjustment.
WORD FORMAT 1250 MAP
In order to access your map you need a login and password. You need to spend a couple of minutes giving us your details. We know this is a bit long-winded but we need to know your details to email you the map and for payment. As soon as we have this the service automatically sends you a login and password.

You enter these login details on the right side of the front page www.streetwise.net.

The quickest way to search is using the postcode. Simply type this into the postcode box and hit "GO". NB if you don’t know the postcode either search on the street name or use the postcode finder option. Please also note we charge £1 to view the map which gets added to the cost at the end ie £1 view + £10 for the map equals the charge of £11 + VAT.
Next choose the exact property by the name or house number. Map Purchase Preview PageA map then appears with your property in the middle. This is the standard 2 hectare 1:1250 Plan. Most Councils will accept this standard area map but will say if they don’t. ie you may need a slightly larger area to show 2 named roads etc.

You can click anywhere on the map to re-centre it if you want. You can also change the area and therefore also the scale. You can even use the tools on the right hand side of the map to add a boundary, text or measure. Our automatic polygon tools allows you with just two clicks to draw around a polygon or to shade it as well. If the boundary is an odd shape you can do the same manually. You can also select a colour or b+w map.

At the bottom of this page are animated demos of the main functions of our website so you can see how easy it is to use. We also have a help button on the map page too.

Once you are happy with the first map click “Add to Basket”, then select the file format you want. Remember MS Word and PDF or the printed map options are easiest.
Map Purchase Preview Page
If you also need a second map at a different scale you can click “back” and add a different scale to your basket too.

Once you have everything you need just click “Buy All and Save”. You then get the option to pay with either our Barclays secure payment or Google checkout. Assuming the transaction is authorised a map download link is emailed straight to you. Just click on this and save the map to your computer.
Follow us | info@streetwise.net | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Sitemap | Help | Privacy |Terms and Conditions | Cookies