UK Safe Digging Industry Hits 3.9 Million Searches
Posted by: electime 11th September 2025
The UK’s safe digging industry recorded 3.9 million underground asset searches in 2024. Of these, more than 352,000 were driven by the gas and electricity sectors, with industry professionals checking for pipes and cables every 21 seconds during the average working day, according to Digging up Britain 2025.
Launched today, the annual report from LSBUD, which analyses the digging activity across the country, found that people conducting digging work are now much more aware of the need to pre plan and check what’s there before they put a spade or digger in the ground. In fact, planned works accounted for 78 per cent of all enquiries submitted – the highest proportion since records began.
Encouragingly, the number of new people searching before they dig has increased, with 44,273 new Users registered with LSBUD’s portal in the last year – a 38.1 per cent rise in new Users compared with levels just four years ago.
Richard Broome, Managing Director at LSBUD, comments: “There has been a substantial number of searches in the past year from both industries, with the electricity sector in particular making huge strides forward, boasting a 39 per cent increase over 2023 levels. It is great to see.”
With 100 per cent of the UK’s major gas distribution networks and 92 per cent of the electricity networks sharing their asset information through LSBUD’s service, the sectors are leading by example. This collaborative approach means that over 1.6 million kilometres of critical underground gas pipes and electricity cables are now protected from dangerous strikes.
Richard Broome continues: “The gas and electricity sectors play such an important role in upholding safe digging across the UK. With vast networks that pose a serious risk to those digging, it’s fantastic to see both sectors following best practice. In fact, we want to extend our thanks to every gas and electricity company who is registered with us, and anybody who has used our services over the last year to ensure the safety of themselves and those around them.
“This year’s report shows that more and more people understand the importance of searching before they dig – it’s become an automatic step. Of course, there is always more that can be done, but, we’re happy with the fantastic progress that we’ve made so far.”
Read the full Digging up Britain 2025 report.
