Challenge
GTC provides multi-utility networks for new construction developments across England, Scotland and Wales. Based in Suffolk and part of the wider BUUK Infrastructure Group which employs over 2,000 people, it connects more than three million homes and businesses and owns networks in gas, electricity, water, wastewater, fibre broadband and heat. GTC works with house builders to supply this ‘last mile’ utility infrastructure to residential sites, and for major mixed-use developments such as commercial and retail developments.
As a provider of multi-utility networks for new developments, GTC relies on accurate underground asset information to assess site feasibility and design connections to existing infrastructure. However, accessing data from multiple asset owners could be time-consuming and fragmented, making it more difficult to identify the best routes for new utility networks and increasing the complexity of planning works safely and efficiently.
Solution
GTC participated in a trial of the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR), a government digital service operated by Ordnance Survey. NUAR brings together underground asset information from hundreds of asset owners into a secure and standardised service, which can be access in seconds. To support adoption, GTC implemented a user champion approach, helping teams across the organisation understand and embed the service into their planning processes.
Result
By using NUAR, GTC gained earlier visibility of underground constraints and improved its ability to plan and design utility networks for new developments. Access to richer asset data helped teams make more informed decisions, identify more suitable routes and support safer excavation planning. Following a successful trial, GTC adopted NUAR across the business, benefiting from a more efficient, secure and streamlined approach to accessing underground infrastructure information.