The last few years have been impressive for our joint venture partner, LSBUD (LinesearchbeforeUdig). As the UK’s leading online safe digging resource, LSBUD finished 2022 with 3.75 million search enquiries for underground pipes and cables passing through its central system, a 12 per cent increase from the previous year.
Growth in coverage was also seen across all industries, in particular the gas sector, with Northern Gas Networks joining the collaborative portal in 2022. This means LSBUD now has complete coverage of the UK’s major gas distribution networks, with 100 per cent of them collaboratively sharing their data on the free-to-use service.
Fibre networks also jumped on the safe digging momentum, with Voneus, Ogi, Wildanet and Toob joining the likes of broadband key players Gigaclear, Gamma, Neos Networks and Zayo, in recognising the importance of having their asset data on the safe digging platform.
LSBUD also registered 43 per cent of their users in 2022. This represents a 14 per cent increase compared to 2021 and is 35 per cent up on the 2020 average of over 120 new users registering on the service every single day.
Richard Broome, Head of Pipeline Management and Maintenance and also Managing Director at LSBUD, said: “At the start of 2022, we aimed to break through the 3.5 million enquiries barrier, to achieve 3.75 million is a credit to those safe digging industries that are more committed to best practice than ever before. People operating within the farming, construction, highways, telecoms, water, gas and electricity sectors need to be praised for their part in this substantial growth, as do UK consumers who are increasingly undertaking home projects with greater care than ever before.
“2022 was the best year for the safe digging community. Pipes and cables were better protected than ever before, and those working near them were safer. Of course, there is room for improvement, and that is what we push for, however, we wanted to extend a thank you to every farmer, construction, highways, telecoms, water, gas and electricity worker, who searches before they dig. It is good practice, it is safe, and it is sensible.”
