Update on the National Underground Asset Register from the Government Digital Service

You can read the full update on the Gov.uk Geospatial Insights blog. Elements we want to highlight include:

NUAR as a statutory register

Access to comprehensive and standardised information is central to the NUAR vision. As NUAR’s first tranche of regulations are implemented, GDS is committed to working with the sector: aligning the information held in NUAR with the needs of the sector, and integrating NUAR in a sustainable way into the existing (broad and diverse) safe excavation ecosystem.

GDS received 103 responses on the first set of proposals to put parts of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 into action for NUAR, and would like to thank everyone who contributed. It analysed the responses, and is working to make sure that regulations align with the input received. GDS will issue a final response to the consultation once regulations are finalised, so it can provide clarity around final legislative frameworks.

Integrating with the ecosystem

The importance of existing safe digging processes and practices, and the expertise that exists across the sector to support them, has been recognised. Including that access to accurate and up-to-date information is only one aspect of safe digging – effective communication between the parties planning and carrying out works is also vital. The owners and operators of assets hold the definitive view of the risks posed by works in the vicinity of those assets.

Asset owners can already provide detailed guidance and targeted instructions to users of NUAR, but one area where we are strengthening integration is through Notification of Works functionality, which went live in early January. This will notify an asset owner, or a third-party service provider nominated to act on their behalf, when an enquiry is made near their assets.

This will enable asset owners to carry out risk assessments and provide targeted guidance on safe working practices where needed, and ensures that those existing processes are still followed. This approach will support sustainable integration into a broad and diverse ecosystem made up of many asset owners, stakeholders, and service providers, providing flexibility and room for growth and improvement.

Expanding access to NUAR delivers benefits for everyone

Engagement with stakeholders has highlighted that secure, broadened access to NUAR will deliver substantial economic, safety, and operational advantages. GDS’s plans for the next two years include extending NUAR access to new user groups, and for additional use cases. This will be done in a phased manner, prioritising the areas of greatest benefit to safe excavation.

A public consultation on proposals is planned for spring 2026, with secondary legislation required to enable expansion of access.

The proposed expansions may include allowing access to:

• Additional user groups for safe digging
  Broader access will be enabled to support safe digging for all. Consideration will be given to the level of detail appropriate for the purpose and the type of user. This will include organisations that don’t currently have access to the service, and members of the public carrying out works on their property.
• Asset owners for core business use
  Using NUAR for core business functions will be permitted within asset owner organisations. This may include improving infrastructure planning, deployment, customer service, and operational efficiency. Consideration will be given to possible exceptions to avoid negative impacts on market competition.
• Public sector bodies
  Organisations across the public sector will be able to use NUAR to support a wide range of public functions, including emergency works (for example, the Ministry of Defence removing unexploded ordnance), police site security planning, regulatory activities by Defra in the water sector, and improved local planning for housing, transport, and district heating.

Any extension of access will be developed in close cooperation with security stakeholders to ensure robust safeguards are in place. Ordnance Survey will lead the design and development of enhanced services and functionality, to accommodate diverse user needs, while maintaining strong security standards.

Regulations for extending access are proposed to be fully implemented by April 2028, ensuring all enhancements are established before asset owners are directly charged for the operation of NUAR.

Initial priorities for expansion are:

• Those involved in excavations will be able to access NUAR for safe working practices and category 1 and 2 emergency responders will be able to use NUAR for emergency preparation and response.
• Asset owners will be able to use NUAR for any purpose except for competing activities, and public sector users will be able to use NUAR data for their full suite of public functions and tasks.

GDS will aim to implement the proposed interventions as soon as feasible, to maximise the value NUAR delivers across the street works community and beyond. In doing so, we are all committed to maintaining high standards of data security and quality.

Read more on the GDS blog, and click below to visit the NUAR website.