The Government’s Geospatial Commission has announced its ambition to bring together the existing data on underground pipes and cables to create an Underground Assets Register.

There is currently no comprehensive underground map of the UK’s service network.

Work has already begun with pilot projects in London and the North East to test the feasibility of the project which will see the creation of a digital map of the pipes and cables which run underground.

The estimated cost to the UK’s economy of accidental strikes on underground pipes and cables is £1.2 billion a year.

While different organisations have their own maps showing where such things as gas pipes and electricity cables are, the lack of a combined map creates an increased risk of potentially lethal accidents.

Work to tackle the problem has so far seen working prototypes created in Sunderland and London which allow workers to see underground pipes and cables on mobile phones or laptop computers before they start a dig.

Cabinet Office Minister, Oliver Dowden, visited Sunderland to see the work which is already underway to map the area’s underground network. He said:

“When workers strike pipes and cables it risks lives, costs money, causes havoc for residents and road-users.

“Our investment in this groundbreaking data sharing model is just one way that the Government is working smarter so that we really make a difference to people’s everyday lives.”

In the North East, the project has been led by Ordnance Survey, who have worked with Northumbrian Water, Northern Gas Networks, Northern Powergrid, and Openreach.

In London, work going forward will be led by the Greater London Authority who are working closely with infrastructure providers and local authorities.

Heidi Mottram CBE, CEO of Northumbrian Water, who hosted the visit said:

“We are delighted to be hosting the Minister for Implementation today to demonstrate the progress we have made since our Innovation Festival last year when we first started exploring this idea.

“Working alongside local authorities, other utility services and partners has meant that we are off to a good start in mapping Sunderland′s underground. We are looking forward to working with government and others to showcase the powers of data sharing for public good”.

David Henderson, the managing director of Ordnance Survey Great Britain, commented:

“The creation of an underground map of utility assets has long been an ambition of Ordnance Survey, and over the last year we have been working closely with Northumbrian Water, and a consortia of utility companies and local authorities in the North East of England, to explore how accurate geospatial data can improve underground infrastructure maintenance and inform new build development projects.”

“The investment being made by the Geospatial Commission will ultimately enable the utility industry to more efficiently access, use and share data describing otherwise hidden infrastructure, thereby reducing operational costs, minimising disruption and accelerating completion of site works.”

If the £3.9 million pilot project is successful a nationwide underground map could be created in the future.