THE UK Government is continuing in its project to build a digital map of underground pipes and cables.
It said its commencement of work on the second phase of the development of the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) moves Britain a ‘step closer’ to ‘revolutionising’ construction and development.
Some four million holes are dug in the UK each year, with Westminster saying ‘many’ are in the wrong place – leading to an accidental utility damage cost of around £2.4 billion annually.
The digital map of underground assets will look to help improve efficiencies in construction and development, as well as reducing disruption and improving workers’ safety.
Once operational, the government said it expects it to deliver around £350 million per year in benefits by avoiding accidental asset strikes, improving the efficiency of works and leading to better data sharing.
It forms part of the UK Government’s efforts to ‘build back better’ and greener from the Covid-19 pandemic, with Westminster also anticipating that it could improve the delivery time of key projects within its post-pandemic blueprint.
Lord True CBE, minister of state at the cabinet office, said, “I am delighted to launch the build phase of the UK’s new National Underground Asset Register. This new digital map of the UK’s underground utilities assets demonstrates our commitment to putting innovation at the forefront of the UK’s economic recovery and ambition to build back better.”
