National mapping agency Ordnance survey has been appointed future operator of the National Underground Asset Register, as part of plans to centralise information about underground infrastructure
The National Undergroud Asset Register is an emerging digital service, which provides instant access to a map of underground assets (i.e. pipes and cables) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Scotland already benefits from a system of this kind, known as the Scottish Community Apparatus Data Vault (or Vault for short), and the Geospatial Commission has worked closely with colleagues in the Scottish Government on this development.
Ordnance Survey (OS) is a public corporation of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and carries out the official surveying of Great Britain, providing geographic data that is used by government, business and individuals.
Centralised data and access could unlock up to £400m per year, says the Government
Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said: “We are committed to unlocking the power of data to reduce disruptions to the public and help deliver economic growth across the UK. From spring, NUAR will minimise the chance of accidental damage to the pipes and cables beneath our feet, protecting the supply of gas, water and electricity to our homes and businesses.
“By harnessing the Ordnance Survey’s centuries of expertise in managing critical national geographic data, we will ensure this service can deliver for the public and industry from Newcastle to Newport and Brighton to Belfast.”
This will lead to economic growth of at least £400 million per annum, according to the Government, through increased efficiency of data sharing and excavations, fewer accidental strikes on underground pipes and cables, and reduced disruptions for the public and businesses. It will also contribute to the building of the infrastructure needed across the country, such as new roads, rail and houses.
A public beta service is planned for spring 2025
The Geospatial Commission will retain long-term policy and performance oversight of the service. The OS Board has agreed to operate NUAR as part of its public task and on a cost recovery basis. In the upcoming months, the services will begin transitioning from AtkinsRéalis, who collaborated with the Geospatial Commission to develop the award-winning NUAR minimum viable product, to OS.
Plans are in place for NUAR to evolve from its current status as a minimum viable product, where use is constrained to testing and feedback, into a public beta service by spring.
From that point NUAR will be able to be used in real-life situations by any eligible asset owners, their contractors and accredited surveyors to help ensure safe digging and excavation.
Ordnance Survey’s CEO Nick Bolton commented:
“We are excited to apply our expertise in mapping Great Britain above ground, to the infrastructure below it. This innovative digital map shows how collaboration, between private sector and government, can bring huge economic benefit to the nation. Being trusted to operate a critical national asset, such as NUAR, is recognition of our enduring capabilities and we are delighted to be responsible for running this service.”
The move has been largely welcomed by the public projects sector
Heidi Mottram, chief executive officer at Northumbrian Water Group said: “Ever since we collaborated with Ordnance Survey and others to design and produce the forerunner of NUAR at Northumbrian Water Group’s Innovation Festival in 2018, we have always felt this system, which benefits utilities and customers alike, should be hosted and managed not-for-profit in the public sector. Our planning and operation teams have fully embraced NUAR and this move to our national mapping agency is welcomed.”
Dr Lawrence J Smith, technical information manager at Thames Water added: “We are delighted to hear that Ordnance Survey has been selected as the public authority to lead the next phase of NUAR’s evolution. Having collaborated closely with Ordnance Survey for several decades, we have confidence in their capabilities and in their ability to undertake this role. The NUAR application is becoming an increasingly vital asset in ensuring the safety of both our workforce and customers. At Thames Water, we fully support this announcement.”
Ashley Behan, street works and permitting manager of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “As one of the first Highway Authority users of the NUAR platform, we are pleased to see public authority management of NUAR come to fruition, with its transfer to Ordnance Survey. As the National Mapping Service for Great Britain and one of the developers of NUAR, Ordnance Survey has a unique insight into mapping systems and how the platform works, and we are looking forward to seeing how it develops under their stewardship.
“The centralisation and consistency of asset information NUAR provides is invaluable and will be key to the sector moving forward, safeguarding the country’s vital underground networks in a more structured way.”
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