PROBLEMS caused by satnavs could soon become a thing of the past as councils get more powers to update maps.

With small country roads and cul-de-sacs dogged by drivers following the computer’s often misleading guidance to the letter, the news has been welcomed by councils in Bournemouth and Poole.

Town halls will no longer have to apply to Whitehall each time they want to reclassify routes and instead the information will be passed straight onto the satnav firms to update their software.

A special Government summit is to be held on the matter in early March, hosted by local transport minister Norman Baker, who wants more cooperation between highway authorities, mapping providers and satnav manufacturers.

Mike Holmes, planning and transport service director at Bournemouth Borough Council, backed the government’s move.

He added: “In 2008, Holdenhurst Village residents contacted us following concerns that a number of vehicles were getting into difficulties when they were mis-directed along this part of Holdenhurst Road.

“This was due to drivers using satnav equipment and searching for ‘Holdenhurst Road’ to try and find the village.

“As a result we contacted the properties affected, Royal Mail and the emergency services and a new road name (Holdenhurst Village Road) was chosen with residents’ approval.

Wendy Sharp, from the Holden-hurst Village Action Group pleaded for the name change after witnessing several bemused lorry drivers get stuck in the village.

She said: “The problem was alleviated very quickly once the name was changed. But we always advise people not to go by their satnav if they are coming here. They are more than likely to end up at the train station.”

Steve Tite, traffic manager at Borough of Poole, said: “We are already in discussion with national haulage organisations in producing a freight map for Dorset, which will provide all of the information relevant to lorry drivers travelling to the area and it would be extremely useful if this were also available on satnavs.

“It is also important that we keep these companies advised of road layout changes such as that around the new Twin Sails Bridge in order to avoid driver confusion.”

Chris Wilcox from Christchurch-based taxi firm, Chritax said: “We do use them but to be honest they are a bit of a mixed bag.

“Obviously as taxi drivers we have a local knowledge. They are useful for out of the way places though and we find them pretty accurate.

“But people do tend to over-rely on them.”

Your views

GERALD Richings, 67, a decorator from Swanage, said: “I’ve never had a sat nav and don’t think I ever will have one. I prefer to use this thing called a map. My son has one and he’s sometimes sent down the wrong road.” NURSE Alison Chester, visiting Swanage from London, said: “Never use them. We’ve travelled all the way from Harrow, and it was pitch black, but we managed to get here safely. Unless you drive a lot, they are pointless.”

TAXI driver Mark Sargent, of Swanage Taxis, said: “For me, my sat nav is vital. I don’t always know every area I’m working in so it really helps. But I know a coach driver who ended up at the wrong Hampton Court.”

SABINA Knight joked: “I don’t have one, it wouldn’t fit on my bicycle. My husband and son have them. My husband swears by his but my son’s one once took him a very odd cross country route down to Cornwall.”

STORE trading manager James Biles, aged 32, of Swanage, said: “I don’t use one. I think lots of people have them that don’t need them. “People rely on them too much without being able to read a map.”