Digital Map Of UK’s Underground Pipes And Cables Created

The UK government has announced the launch of a new digital map of the entire network of underground power cables, gas pipes, sewers and water mains across the country.

The interactive map has been tested in the North East of England and will be rolled out throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2025.

In the UK, buried pipes and cables measure about four million kilometres.

The government says mapping them could help avoid accidents and disruption.

Damage caused by accidental strikes to this buried network costs the UK an estimated £2.4bn per year.

The new map will give utility company workers access, almost instantly, to detailed plans of every piece of infrastructure buried at the site where they are digging.