News

Google Street View comes to Bracknell

By Mike Pyle
March 11, 2010

Google Street View in Bracknell Forest has been launched today meaning people can take virtual tours with a few clicks of a mouse.

Bracknell Forest has been extensively mapped meaning most people can find their houses and many prominent landmarks like the 3M building, the Point Royal flats in Easthampstead and Sandhurst’s Memorial Park.

The digital imagery was taken in 2008 and 2009 when the Google Street View cars, with cameras mounted on them, drove around the borough.

Check out Bracknell on Street View by visiting www.maps.google.co.uk and searching for Bracknell and clicking on Street View under the “more” options link.

Have you seen any strange sights on the Street View of Bracknell? Maybe the cameras have captured you or someone you know?

Leave your comments below or email editorial@bracknellstandard.co.uk

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Obvious attempts have been made in the past to improve the quality of the Public Realm – patterned paving has been installed as have many elements of street furniture. However, as a result of these elements being installed over a fairly long period of time various “fashions” have been followed. The overall impression of disjointedness and clutter, whether regarding tree species, benches, light poles, etc. is overwhelming. Colours generally are drab although some effort has been made to add colour by an infusion of hanging baskets and floral arrangements both well-intentioned but superficial and temporary. Over the last few decades Bracknell has experienced a significant downward trend in the quality of its townscape that has noticeably affected its image and economic viability. The overbearing dominance of the trafficked environment coupled with a proliferation of poorly planned and detailed architecture has served to create a series of inactive and unpleasant public spaces. Ill considered and maintained materials further degrade the quality of these spaces and there exist few of the defining landscape components that would associate it with good urban streetscape such as continuity of street furniture and lack of visual clutter. This inhospitable and unattractive environment fails to support the growth of the existing economic community let alone the setting for any sustainable future development.

R Jones
28/03/2010 at 19:38

My father-in-laws numberplate is plain as day! Naughty Google!

stripeyrache, Bracknell
15/03/2010 at 14:38

Pure hilarity. Really brings home what a dump Bracknell is, not that you get to see the town centre mind, due to its inaccessible fortress type design; 'The Ring' of steel lol. You can tell Google Street View has never met the likes of the crazily designed town centre, try following 'The Ring' - Street View's guide lines are on the wonk and constantly trying to recalibrate itself keep up with the nonsensical nature of the place.

I have seen a lot of street views of areas regionally, nationally and globally, but none that make me feel sick to the pit of my stomach in the way that the street views of Bracknell do. Not only is the place ill conceived in terms of design, but it the quality of workmanship (zoom in and see the concrete buildings which are falling apart in chunks), lack of sufficient infrastructure and no entertainment in terms of restaurants or night life is all too apparent

I wholeheartedly agree with prospective Liberal Democrat prospective Parliamentary candidate Ray Earwicker’s remark that Bracknell is ‘a blight on the South East’ (as per March 10, 2010 article). Why burden the rest of the world with the many ugly images of this hell whole that is Bracknell?

R Jones
13/03/2010 at 09:26

I had a look at my street and think I've seen my wife with the Postman. Bit of a shame really. I was hoping it would have been the milkman - she could have got free milk then. Seriously though, It was great having a look at Bracknell via Google Street View - it's about time it happened.