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News

Kent mum has created a tube-style map of the county's roads

By: Katie Davis

Published: 09:00, 30 January 2017

A Kent mum has created a map showcasing Kent's road network in the style of London's Tube map.

Jessie Wilson, from Tunbridge Wells, said: "I've always loved Harry Beck's iconic tube map of London.

"Perhaps it's because I'm a mathematician, but the simplicity and the efficiency of the design really appeals to me.

Kent has been given a London tube-style makeover

"I've seen a few other tube map pastiches and thought it would be fun to try and make one of Kent."

The former demographer and market researcher originally created the map as a Christmas present for her mum.

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She continued: "She moved to Kent (Deal) from London about 10 years ago. My family are quite big on giving homemade presents - it's something we've always done

"Perhaps it's because I'm a mathematician, but the simplicity and the efficiency of the design really appeals to me" - Jessie Wilson

"Last year, I wrote and illustrated a short story for my seven-year-old daughter, called The Bird and Me, which is a fun little story full of rhyming, alliteration and tongue twisters."

However, since posting a picture of the map on social media, she began receiving floods of requests from family and friends wanting to buy copies.

In response, the 38-year-old has set up a website where unframed prints of The Kent Tube Map Pastiche can be bought for £25.

"My first order came through within a few hours of publicising the site, and I've had a steady stream of orders ever since!

"I can't believe how much attention the map has received. I've just posted a map out to someone in Australia, and have had requests from people far and wide to create versions for their local area. I get such a buzz every time a new order comes through!

"The best bit though is the emails I receive from people telling me how much they love the map and sending me pictures of it hanging on their wall."

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The design loosely follows the main road networks in Kent - "with a little artistic licence along the way" as the website says.

Jessie Wilson created a tube style map of Kent's roads

Jessie said: "I started working on the design at the beginning of December and spent a lot of very late nights poring over an AA road map and trawling through Google Maps to figure out which places to include and how best to connect them.

"It sounds complicated, but I quite enjoyed it - it was a bit like doing a jigsaw puzzle! The actual design was created digitally using a graphics tablet and drawing software. The prints are all printed professionally by a printing firm in Essex."

Also available on the site are customised versions of the map to include other Kent towns and villages on request.

"I've had lots of great feedback from people, and a few requests for maps of other areas, so this definitely isn't the last you'll hear of me!"

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