Consultation outcome

The National Underground Asset Register (NUAR)

From:: Cabinet Office and Geospatial Commission
Published: 7 April 2022
Last updated: 24 October 2022 — See all updates

Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales

Read the full outcome

Government response to the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) consultation

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Government response to the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) consultation - Welsh version

PDF, 243 KB, 14 pages

Detail of outcome

The National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) consultation concluded on 2 June 2022.

The consultation asked interested parties for their views on potential legislative reform and the proposed future operating model of NUAR to maximise the benefits to the UK economy.

A total of 164 responses were received, including from utility companies, local authorities and other interested parties.

The analysis of the responses has taken place and the government has now published its response. The Geospatial Commission will continue to work with stakeholders on comments raised in the consultation response including:

Developing a charging framework that takes into account the comments raised by respondents
Continued exploration of potential legislative reform
Considering opportunities for the wider market to enhance the NUAR service

Original consultation

Consultation description

The government has committed funding to build a digital service for sharing data on the location of underground pipes and cables (‘underground assets’). The Geospatial Commission, an independent body in the Cabinet Office, is working with industry to build this service. The current build phase of the project is well underway and this consultation focuses on what is needed to run the service in the future once this phase has concluded.

NUAR is a live three-year programme which will be rolled out in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland already benefits from a system in kind named VAULT.

The consultation is split into three main sections:

Section 1 outlines the current practice
Section 2 assesses the need for legislation and the potential scope of any such legislation.
Section 3 outlines our current thinking to date on the future funding mechanism for the service.

Each proposal is accompanied by specific consultation questions and we welcome responses on those questions.

You will find the consultation document below along with a version in Welsh.

Ways to respond

Respond online or email: nuar-futuremodel@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Documents