Forum Topic

Strange boundaries on map showing Chiswick infection rates

In the article on the front page regarding the increase in Covid infection rates in Chiswick, I am bemused by the map showing strange boundary lines for different areas of Chiswick, particularly the southern boundary of Bedford Park.  Does anyone know what criteria are used for these boundaries, as they don't seem to relate to Council boundaries?

Barbara Robinson ● 1954d5 Comments

Barbara Robinson explained" I am bemused by the map showing strange boundary lines.......  particularly the southern boundary of Bedford Park."Any map showing an expanded area for Bedford Park, sounds suspiciously like the work of estate agents.Examples of which can probably be found and copiedunthinking, from Google images. michael adams

Michael Adams ● 1954d

They are “Middle Layer Super Output Area” (MSOA) boundaries.These are areas defined by the Office of National Statistics.  They have defined their own areas as political boundaries such as for councils, wards and MPs are all subject to change. Postcode areas are also intellectual property of Royal Mail and they charge for the use of these maps.There are also smaller areas called “Lower Layer Super Output Areas”. Census data will be reported for these areas and the numbers can then be determined for boroughs etc.

Michael Robinson ● 1954d

Sorry my mistake. Having now actually looked at the map.The Bedford Park shown on the map bears very little relation to the actual Bedford Park; over half of which lies east of the Avenue and which on that map is shown to be in Chiswick North East.The Southern boundary is fine as it terminates at South Parade but the Eastern and Northern boundaries are be a bit on the optimistic side, even for an estate agent.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 1954d

As Michael Robinson explained, MSOAs are defined by ONS as a basis for geographical statistics.  As far as I know, an MSOA is entirely within one local authority area (such as Hounslow), but may straddle ward boundaries.Of the Chiswick MSOAs listed in the news item on this site, "Chiswick North West" and "Bedford Park" are in Ealing borough and all the others are in Hounslow.There is a fully zoomable map of all the MSOAs athttps://visual.parliament.uk/msoanames/mapIf you want to find out which MSOA a particular house is in, enter the postcode in the box athttps://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-mapThat will also give you the latest Covid cases data, for the most recent 7 days of reliable data.

Richard Jennings ● 1954d

Thanks for that Richard Jennings, very useful information and link.

Maggie Dodge ● 1954d