Google’s new Street View is already behind the times (From This Is Lancashire)

Google’s new Street View is already behind the times

6:10am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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IMAGES of almost every home in Bury are now available to anyone with an internet connection after Google updated its controversial “Street View” website.

The service, accessible through the popular Google Maps website, allows people to zoom in to see a virtual 360-degree photographic view of streets.

But not all pictures are right up to date.

Images of Bury show construction just beginning on the £80 million Knowsley Place development, with only a single crane on site.

Only a few hundred yards down the road, The Rock as seen on Google is just a skeleton of a building.

St Mary and St Philip Neri Church, Radcliffe is pictured still standing — although it was demolished earlier this year.

Bury’s world famous market is deserted, so obviously not photographed on a market day.

A virtual trip down Manchester Road offers a picturesque entry to the town, with the trees in full leaf. As well as roads, houses and shops, users can see cars and people walking around, although the website uses an automatic detection system to blur people’s faces and car number plates.

Google uses a special car with high-tech camera equipment on its roof to obtain the images.

Street View was launched last April, featuring only 25 UK towns and cities but it has already brought its share of critics.

A group of residents near Milton Keynes joined hands to stop the car driving down their street when the service was launched claiming that it would allow burglars to see over their garden fences.

Google spokeswoman Laura Scott said: “We take privacy very seriously. We automatically blur faces and licence plates where recognisable.

“We understand that some people may not want imagery of their house, car or themselves featured.

“That is why we have provided easily accessible tools for requesting removal of inappropriate or sensitive imagery or to ask for additional blurring.”