Telecoms firms reject joining cable database

A WORLD-FIRST electronic database of underground pipes and cables has been launched to speed up roadworks – but telecommunications firms may have to be forced to take part.

The Scottish Community Apparatus Data Vault system, known as VAULT, enables firms and councils digging up roads to more easily access information about what lies below.

Currently, this has to be requested from individual firms and is produced in a variety of formats.

Scottish Water, Scotland’s Gas Networks, ScottishPower and Scottish and Southern Energy have signed up to the scheme, but telecommunications firms such as BT Openreach have refused to provide maps of their cable networks.

The Scottish Road Works Register, which runs VAULT, said a new law may have to be introduced to make them comply.

Spokesman Raymond Elliot said the firms were concerned about rivals getting hold of information about their networks, and cable theft.

He said: “We are encouraging them to come on board.”

A spokesman for Openreach said: “I can confirm that Openreach has not yet signed up due to security concerns.”