Google Street View launched

Google has launched its controversial Street View mapping service in the UK, with web and mobile phone users able to see 360-degree views of 25 cities from Southampton to Aberdeen. The company has spent almost a year collecting images, with a fleet of specially modified cars crawling along 22,369 miles of British roads and the resultant images provide a snapshot of a bygone era before the recession hit the British high street.

Many of the pictures were taken last summer - although the unseasonally wet weather played havoc with Google's camera cars - and show stores that have since gone bust, including Woolworths. Even household goods retailer The Pier is still open for business on London's Tottenham Court Road in the world of Street View as is Zavvi just down the road. There have been issues with complaints about privacy (for specific cases as well since the system went online yesterday) but at the same time it's fascinating to finally see this available.

Click here to see City University where I am doing my PhD in Street View.