Digging up a stretch of road in quick succession by different companies could be a complaint of the past thanks to a merger of two Midlands businesses.
PelicanCorp (owners of beforeUdig) at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Warwick Innovation Centre in Gallows Hill, Warwick, has joined forces with the Ashby de la Zouch office of Fisher German LLP, the owners of Linesearch.org, to launch LinesearchbeforeUdig.
The new company will provide a free online enquiry portal packed with utility infrastructure information which is expected to generate well over one million enquiries per year.
Marcus Edwards, director of PelicanCorp – a tenant that came to Warwick through the science park’s inward investment programme, UK MAP – said it was vital when planning to dig up the road network to search for electricity, gas, oil and telecom infrastructures so that companies are armed with the most up-to-date information.
He said: “It is a service that is designed for companies who are either planning works or are about to commence work whether it is laying pipes on a dual carriageway or building new premises.
“We help them before they start digging to understand what infrastructure is near their proposed work site so that they don’t encounter any unforeseen problems.
“The benefit of this merger is that an enquiry can be carried out at anytime (24/7) which will produce an instant online initial response to the enquirer and participating asset owners will be immediately notified.”
Andrew Jackson, managing partner and head of the utilities and infrastructure sector of Fisher German LLP, said: “Our vision is that the LinesearchbeforeUdig enquiry service becomes part of standard practice for anyone planning or performing on-site works.
“Enhancing health and safety for all site personnel and the general public are the key drivers of this business and we believe this merger will provide a portal which will be a single point of contact for all enquiries.”
Karen Aston, centre manager at the Warwick Innovation Centre, said the creation of the new business would be a one-stop shop for utility infrastructure across Great Britain.
“The new service LinesearchbeforeUdig will provide the most comprehensive infrastructure search facility in the Great Britain” she said.
“The service provides a simple step-by-step process for registering enquiries as well as notifying asset owners of the planned work which prevents unnecessary roadworks being carried out.
“I am sure this new venture will prove to be of massive benefit to individual companies as well as the entire industry.”