Get out and get about more easily with new features

It's been nearly a whole year since there were any major changes to the way bristolstreets.co.uk looks or works but we are now introducing an improved and streamlined interface.

The main aim was to make the site even simpler to use. And it also lays the groundwork (internal and external) for many new sets of information we will be adding this year.

The main change is that we have simplified the side bar area by moving many of the map controls and a few other commands into a new "control strip" that runs along the top edge of the map.

Floating pages

The other big change is what we are calling "floating pages". These are like normal web pages that appear on top of the map. This allows us to present information in a nice layout without making you open another window or leave the map.

Floating windows are opened when you click an "article box" which appears in the side bar. When you first come to the site there is a selection of article boxes in the side bar below the grid of icons. These are articles we would like you to see.

You will find article boxes appear in the side bar when you are looking at many of the other sections. Many of the icons in the side bar will show several different icons after they are clicked. The ones labelled "notes" will show one or more article boxes which allow you to open floating pages about that map layer.

An important reason for the floating pages is to make it easier for the site to show you more than just markers on a map, without loosing the "mapcentricity" of the site. We hope you will come to the site to check on the latest news. We plan to keep an eye on local transport, environmental and community issues.