Concerns raised in Waterford about the accuracy of Google Maps as vehicles 'led astray'

Waterford City and County Council should have access to the Google Maps to ensure drivers are not “led astray.” 

That is according to City East Councillor Pat Fitzgerald, who said that while Google provides a “very very good service,” they sometimes lead drivers down roads not suitable for their vehicle.

Cllr Fitzgerald said the process for alerting Google of errors is “fairly cumbersome” for engineers.

“I believe that while Google ultimately provides a good service, we are in charge of the roads, not Google, and if we think something is dangerous, we should have access, like not as an ordinary member of the public, but we should basically be able to tell Google fairly quickly,” said Cllr Fitzgerald.

The councillor made his comments at this month’s plenary sitting of the Waterford City and County Council in Dungarvan.

Director of Roads, Water and Environment Fergus Gleeson responded by saying: “We don’t really have much control over what Google maps put onto the maps and it is not always accurate."

Mr Gleeson went on to comment: "There have been issues with trucks but you know we have very little control over what Google put on it."