User:Jackdpage/UKTagging
This page is a rewrite/restructure of the existing United Kingdom Tagging Guidelines page to make it more friendly to new users, with more imagery and less focus on the footway/path rift.
Welcome! This page aims to help you find the best tag to use for a feature you may have come across, with specific advice relating to features in the United Kingdom.
Roads
The majority of the UK's major roads are already mapped, but it may be that they need updating from time to time. The majority of roads you will be mapping will be those further down the table.
| Image | Description | Tags/Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
Motorway | highway=motorway
highway=motorway_link for connections to the motorway |
|
A roads with primary status (green signage) | highway=trunk
highway=trunk_link for connections to the road |
|
A roads (white signage) | highway=primaryhighway=primary_link for connections to the road |
|
B roads | highway=secondary |
|
Busy unclassified roads which are wide enough for two cars to pass safely | highway=tertiary |
|
Country lanes | highway=unclassified |
|
Residential roads: roads only used for accessing residences | highway=residential |
|
Private roads | highway=* |
|
Tracks | highway=track
tracktype=* to specify what the surface of the track is like |
|
Driveways | highway=service
access=private if the driveway is only used to access private property |
|
Other service roads such as parking isles, roads in industrial estates, etc. | highway=service
service=* if an appropriate value exists |
|
Byways | Previously used highway=byway but should now be tagged as a track |
Road numbers
For roads which are signposted with an official number, add ref=* with the number and its letter prefix. These roads are motorways, A roads, B roads and a limited number of local authority C roads.
Road signs
A lot of information can be obtained from road signs such as access restrictions, hazards and speed limits. Refer to Road signs in the United Kingdom for details on how to tag information found in road signs.
Road relations
You may also wish to add the entirety of a road to a route relation. For a (not very) complete list of route relations in the United Kingdom, see United Kingdom road relations.
Footpaths
| Image | Description | Tags/Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
A path for pedestrians. | highway=footway
surface=* |
|
A designated public footpath. Ensure that the sign explicitly states this is a public footpath before tagging. | As for any other footpath, but add designation=public_footpath |
|
'Desire' paths and paths across private land. These are unsignposted and likely have no legal status. Do not use this if the path is signposted. | highway=path |
Cycleways
There are two fundamental types of cycle paths that you will come across when mapping: those that form part of a road (cycle lanes) and those that are separate from a road (cycle tracks).
Cycle lanes
Tagging cycle lanes can be quite complicated and there are a couple of ways of doing it. See the Bicycle page for more information.
Cycle tracks
| Image | Description | Tags/Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
Shared cycle and pedestrian path. | highway=cycleway |
|
Segregated cycle and pedestrian path. | highway=cycleway |
|
Cycle only path. Use is not intended for pedestrians, but it is also not prohibited. | highway=cycleway
If a nearby alternative route exists for pedestrians, add foot=no |
Bridleways
| Image | Description | Tags/Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
A path intended for horseriders. In England and Wales, pedestrians and cycles are permitted. | highway=bridleway |
Retail outlets
Some retail outlets in the United Kingdom are tagged inconsistently. If you are unsure how to tag a shop, see if it appears on United Kingdom retail chains for recommendations on how to tag it.