Forum Topic

Erasmus Road W13?

Have a look at this Google maps linkhttp://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=erasmus+rd+w13&ll=51.503273,-0.326141&spn=0.002124,0.005182&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&gl=uk&z=18I wonder where this road has come from? - I'm pretty sure it wasn't there last time I looked

Jim McCauley ● 5556d7 Comments

Well, it doesn't exist. I dropped some papers round to Thurlow Road (which strangely isn't marked) last week.Could be a 'plant' by Google to catch other mapping companies using their indices. They are well known for doing this and have 'invented' complete villages to catch their competitiors. If you Google "Argleton" you will find a fictional village in Lancashire that only exists on Google Maps. That said, it hasn't stopped a whole 'legend' springing up around it including those who claim to have ben born there :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 5556d

I think you're probably right, it's a "Trap Street" planted by Googlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trap_street

Jim McCauley ● 5556d

Thanks Jim, I couldn't remember the term 'Trap Street'.

Nigel Brooks ● 5556d

I think it was Antonia Fraser who said she always puts one made-up fact in her biographies, then looks out for it in subsequent bios of the person. Sneaky, but also confusing for the (map) reader.

Susan Kelly ● 5555d

Erasmus was the guy who said "in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king" - which could add credence to the theory.

James Brown ● 5555d

If you follow the "pegman" on Google streetview, you'll find Erasmus Road is in the front gardens of 10 & 12 Thurlow Road. And what happened to Thurlow - not marked on map.And if you search for "Trap Street" see where it leads you :-)

Chris Edwards ● 5555d

It also puts the road in W13 when it,had it existed, should be in W7 - how sad am I? :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 5555d