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Archiver > ABERDEEN > 2010-01 > 1263463876


From: Gavin Bell <>
Subject: Re: [ABERDEEN] SPITTAL
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:11:16 +0000
References: <F7051DF583DB4384A105F01242B6B87C@userd22698841d>
In-Reply-To: <F7051DF583DB4384A105F01242B6B87C@userd22698841d>


A recent query by Schani Biermann has alerted me to an error in various
of the online mapping services. The error appears to originate with
TeleAtlas, but as they apparently supply map data to Google and Multimap
(and quite possibly others) the error is widespread.

It concerns the name of the ancient road which was originally part of
the link between the (formerly separate) towns of Aberdeen and Old
Aberdeen. As its route took it past the mediaeval Leper Hospital, the
street (and the area adjacent to it) took the name of "Spital". The
present-day City of Aberdeen surrounds and includes both of the ancient
towns, but the name of the road persists.

However, TeleAtlas has managed to confuse "Spital" with "Spital Heyes",
the name of a suburb of Birkenhead, near Liverpool, about 250 miles to
the south.

I have reported the error to Tele Atlas, but even if they act on my
report, the error is now, thanks to the power of the Web, widespread.


Gavin Bell


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