are maps of britain under threat?

The British government is to cancel its dwindling financial subsidy to Ordnance Survey at the end of 2006. The annual contribution previously helped to ensure that all parts of the UK were mapped to the same high standard. Now that the cash has completely dried up, it is unclear whether unprofitable maps of rural and wild areas (such as mountains and moorland) will continue to be produced. According to The Guardian, Ordnance Survey has said that the withdrawal of the subsidy “will have an impact on the currency and content of the rural geography in our products.” (Thanks to Marek for the heads-up).