National Underground Asset Register is accelerating positive change for local authorities

Growing numbers of local and highways authorities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are joining the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR), significantly improving the way underground infrastructure is shared and accessed.

Operated by Ordnance Survey (OS) on behalf of the UK Government, NUAR provides secure, instant access to a single digital map of buried pipes and cables across multiple sectors, including telecoms, energy, water, transport and local government. With over 80% of known underground assets already mapped, NUAR now includes data from more than 360 asset owners, covering over 3.2 million kilometres of infrastructure.

Local and highways authorities are increasingly contributing data on assets such as street lighting, traffic signals, drainage, EV charging points, and CCTV. This improved visibility supports safer, faster and more efficient excavation, helping to prevent accidental strikes, reduce disruption and protect communities.

Authorities using NUAR report substantial time and cost savings – up to 75% – alongside faster emergency responses and clearer coordination between organisations. As adoption continues to grow, NUAR is becoming a critical tool for improving safety, efficiency, and collaboration across the UK’s underground infrastructure ecosystem.

Lincolnshire County Council’s Traffic Manager, Ashley Behan, said: “NUAR provides a central place for all asset owners’ information. This allows processes to be streamlined and the timeframe for gathering information to be significantly expedited, giving time and efficiency savings of approximately 75% when the system is fully in use.”

Learn more about the NUAR service and the benefits it has unlocked by clicking below.