FROM THE INDUSTRY
One in ten people would prefer to cut back on food or heating than lose internet access.
to keep our valuable underground infrastructure intact. The virtuous circle of safe digging is a testament to what can be achieved with true collaboration and shared responsibility from asset owners across all sectors. Despite the drop in momentum of the ultrafast broadband rollout, with the government prioritising the final 20% of its target, more telecoms-related digging is sure to occur – meaning safety is now more important than ever. If everyone commits to the rules of ‘subscribe, share and search’, we will continue to see the safe digging community grow, staying safer in the process with more projects completed efficiently.
and sometimes failing to see the value in, sharing data.
However, after joining LSBUD, NYnet found that the hassle-free automated process was far quicker, and enabled it to protect its underground network in a matter of minutes. In 2024, it was able to respond rapidly to over 400 searches every month, which came in from an array of sources, including utility companies and telecoms providers. With LSBUD handling asset location requests, NYnet is free to focus on providing the best possible service to its community. Alastair Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive at NYnet explains: “If it wasn’t for the service LSBUD provides, smaller organisations like ours would struggle to compete in a market that’s predominantly dominated by huge, national players.”
Putting it into practice
The easiest way to highlight best practice whilst digging is to pick a particular example. NYnet, established in 2007 and tasked with improving connectivity and broadband services across the North of England, provides connection to important public sector facilities such as hospitals, doctors surgeries and social care organisations. Many of its connections are critical and since its establishment, it now operates a high-capacity fibre network across the region. NYnet understood that it needed to better protect its vital assets from accidental damage, and that sharing underground infrastructure information was the best way to do that. Before joining the LSBUD portal, the company employed a contractor to handle search enquiries – a time-consuming process.
www.lsbud.co.uk
In summary
Safety must always be a top priority when digging.
We urge careful planning and attention
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May 2025 Volume 47 No.2
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