Section 5.6 - Checking for other services

Where works are to be undertaken it is important that a thorough check is made for any services such as gas, electricity, cable or water in the immediate surroundings prior to starting. Where work is to be carried out by the County Council or other volunteer groups authorised by the highway authority, responsibility for undertaking the research will lie with the County Council or Countryside Management Service respectively. Where work is to be undertaken by contractors on behalf of the County Council responsibility will lie with the contractor and will be written into the contract specification. The Rights of Way Unit does hold some information regarding the known location of, for example, major oil pipelines in the area and will provide this information where relevant.

Statutory undertakers

Statutory Undertakers are responsible for the maintenance of a range of other infrastructure assets such as pipelines, communication networks etc. They should be consulted where work on PRoW may effect such features.

Although there may be evidence on site such as signs or flags indicating the location of a pipeline it is always best to contact the statutory undertakers as a matter of principle to be sure. Be prepared to provide them with a map showing the location of the proposed works so that they can respond quickly.

The list of statutory undertakers to be consulted is necessarily long and will vary from area to area. The list includes those organisations associated with the following services; Oil, Gas, Electricity, Water, Communications and will include both underground and overhead services.

Although overhead services are more obvious they should not be overlooked when carrying out works. The proximity of overhead power cables or the proximity of a local transforming station may effect the choice of equipment used for a given job and should be taken into consideration.

The discovery of services where works are to be undertaken will require the matter to be followed up with the appropriate undertaker. Each will have different requirements, some may simply provide information regarding the depth of their services others will require someone to be present when works are carried out.

5.6.1 Major Oil and Fuel pipelines

A file in the Rights of Way unit contains information showing the location of the major UK high pressure Oil and Fuel pipeline. This information affects only limited parts of the County and officers should familiarise themselves with the location of these networks and should notify contractors working in the vicinity. The UK Oil Pipeline is a high pressure system that is extensively monitored. The British Pipeline Agency responsible for it will probably send an observer for any major works in its vicinity.