9:32am Friday 12th March 2010
By Rory McKeown
INTERNET giant Google's controversial street view tool has been launched for the whole of Sedgemoor.
Google Street View went nationwide this week and offers 360-degree shots of streets in Bridgwater, Burnham, Highbridge and the surrounding areas.
The Mercury used the tool on launch day and saw clear images including that of a large queue forming outside Greggs bakery underneath our offices in Bridgwater's High Street.
The images shown are not live and Google has countered privacy concerns by stressing people will only be able to see sights already visible from public roads, and by blurring out faces and car number plates.
There is a facility for people to flag up images they deem inappropriate.
Ed Parsons, Google's geospatial technologist, said Street View would help househunters and people planning trips.
We asked people on the streets of Bridgwater what they thought.
Graham Granter, from Bridgwater, said: “I don't think it invades our privacy, if you think about the amount of cameras we have all over the place that infringe on people's privacy.”
Sean Cooper, from Bridgwater, said: “I think Google Street Map is a good idea. A lot of people will want to know where they are going and it will show them what the place is like.”
Tanya Fathers, from Cossington, said: “Google Street Map is a perfect idea. I use the internet and things like this make your life a lot easier.”
Tom Meredith, from Woolavington, said: “It's being nosey, isn't it? I'm not going to use it but I suppose it's a good idea to promote the town.”
HAVE you spotted anything quirky while using the new tool around Sedgemoor? What are your views on Google Street View?
Have your say on-line at by using the comment box below or send your findings to newsdesk@bridgwatermercury.co.uk
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