BE AWARE OF BURIED PIPELINES WHEN EXTENDING HOMES

Be aware of pipelines when developing homes

Since 2015, homeowners have been able to benefit from ‘Permitted Development Rights’ that allow them to carry out certain building works on a property without the need for local authority planning permission or ‘approval’ from neighbours. However, home owners should be aware of buried pipelines when developing homes.

The rules generally apply to single-storey side or rear extensions, loft conversions, front porches, double storey extensions, outbuildings, pools, solar panels, skylights of dormer windows and new windows or doors. However, extensions beyond a certain size or height are still bound by the relevant Neighbour Consultation Scheme and the Local Authority will still need to be informed.

However, before a landowner carries out an extension, lays a driveway or constructs an outbuilding or pool they still need to consider whether they are within a pipeline easement and, if so, need to inform and seek permission from the pipeline operator. Without doing so, undertaking works within a pipeline’s easement is not only in breach of the Pipelines Safety Regulations Act (1996) but also poses a serious safety risk to the homeowner, contractor as well as the environment.

Please note that crucially, the planning system is separate from and does not override the existing rules and requirements as detailed within the existing pipeline lease.

To protect the pipeline network and ensure that there are no breaches of the Pipeline Safety Regulations (1996), BPA not only monitors the pipelines remotely but undertakes bi-weekly helicopter patrols, regular line-walking and visual surveys. Homeowners who live within the easement of a pipeline also receive an annual letter reminding them of the pipeline and the regulations and notifications required if a homeowner is proposing to carrying out works in a pipeline’s vicinity.

It is therefore important that landowners respond to BPA’s annual letter to ensure that their contact details are up to date so both parties can easily be informed, should works need to be carried out near to pipelines.

If you are planning to extend or alter your home or garden under permitted development rights (or via the conventional planning application route), to prevent potential damage to buried high pressure pipelines always contact the pipeline operator in advance of works (and ideally the application) so they can advise you of good practices, locate and mark out the pipeline and ultimately supervise works if required.

If you do construct a building over the pipeline or within it’s easement, you are not only endangering your own life in the process, but the building will ultimately also need to be removed, at your cost.

We hope this information is useful regarding permitted development and pipelines. If in doubt, contact a member of BPA’s lands team and we will be happy to assist.

/by BPA Management

WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT BURIED PIPELINES?

Pipeline marker post - Who to contact for buried pipelines

There are more than 27,000 KM of buried pipelines in the UK, but who should landowners contact about buried pipelines if they have any questions or are looking to undertake works in proximity of them?

There are numerous organisations who can assist and point landowners in the right direction if they are looking to inform the pipeline operator of any scheduled works. Most pipeline operators write to landowners and tenants to ensure that they have their contact details in case of emergencies or if they need to ask for supervision of any works being undertaken. This documentation should have the operator’s contact details.

In BPA’s case the contact number if 0800 585 387. This number is manned 24/7 and is there in case of emergencies and to forward calls to BPA’s lands team should landowners have any specific questions.

If you are unsure of who operates the pipeline there are other organisations who will be able to assist and point you in the right direction.  The first is LinesearchbeforeUdig (LSBUD) which is a free to use service that any individual can use to check their works against over 140 operators who own and manage buried utility assets.

These assets include hundreds of thousands of kilometres of underground pipelines and cables in the electricity, gas, high pressure fuel, water and fibre optic networks. The service processes over 3.7 million enquiries per annum – that’s more than one every 10 seconds.

If you are on site and near to a pipeline, it’s likely that you will see a marker post that informs the public that there is a pipeline in close proximity.  The details of the pipeline operator are also available on the marker post itself to assist landowners.

If looking to contact the pipeline operator, we would advocate giving them as much notice as possible so that they can offer advice, come out to site or help supervise works as well as mark out exactly where the pipeline is located.

By working with landowners, utility companies or other bodies that may be required to dig in the vicinity of buried pipelines LSBUD and BPA aim to ensure a prompt and accurate response to all enquiries in an effort to reduce injuries and deaths due to asset strikes.

BPA also writes to landowners and tenants to ensure that the contact details are correct so that the organisation can contact them should they need to inform them of repairs or other works that need to be undertaken on the pipeline infrastructure. Please help us by responding to the letters and keeping your details up to date.

Details can be kept up to date by clicking here.

We hope this information is useful on who to contact about buried pipelines. If in doubt contact a member of BPA’s lands team and we will be happy to assist.

/by BPA Management

WORKING SAFELY NEAR HIGH PRESSURE PIPELINES

advice on working safely near to buried high pressure pipelines

Safe working near to buried high pressure pipelines is critical to protect both people and the planet. Here we outline some good practice guidelines for those working near to high pressure pipelines when undertaking agricultural work such as fencing, clearing ditches or installing drains, as well as any other activity that could pose a risk to the pipeline’s integrity.

Britain has more than 27,000km of buried pipelines used to transport a range of products at pressures of up to 100 bar. This includes flammable and explosive products such as oil, natural gas, ethylene and petroleum as well as less obviously hazardous material such as water.

Damage to these pipelines can pose a significant risk to life as well as potentially serious environmental damage if product is released. It can also lead to prosecution by the HSE as under the Pipelines Safety Regulations Act; “No persons shall cause such damage to a pipeline as may give rise to dangers to persons.”

Prior to working in the vicinity of high pressure pipelines, other than routine agricultural activities up to 300mm deep such as ploughing, seeding or harvesting – landowners should contact the pipeline operator who will provide any guidance or advice required.  Contractors and temporary staff working on the land also need to be informed of where the pipelines are to discuss and agree with them the precautions they need to take before they start work.

One area of agricultural activity that has been identified as posing a significant risk to pipelines is the installation of drainage pipes. Installing drainage often requires heavy machinery and excavating close to the pipeline’s nominal depth of 1m. To prevent risks, anyone planning works within 3 metres of a buried pipeline needs to obtain permission from the pipeline operator. This is not to prevent the works, but simply to ensure that they are undertaken safely.

The location of pipelines is normally indicated by marker posts at the edges of fields, however, be advised that marker posts can be accidentally moved or damaged and that pipelines may not run in a straight line between posts. The depth of the pipeline’s cover may also be reduced in parts, so contact the pipeline operator in advance of any works and they can visit your land to locate and mark out the pipeline and advise what activities can and cannot be done safely.

If physical contact is made with a pipeline, shut down all working machinery and remove all sources of ignition.  Evacuate all people from the immediate area and if the pipeline is leaking dial 999 to inform the emergency services.  Do not attempt to seal a leaking pipeline and do not attempt to extinguish the fire (if one is present).

When the area is secure, contact the pipeline operator’s emergency telephone number that can be found on a nearby pipeline marker post, or from the communications you will have had from the pipeline operator.  The pipeline operator will advise of next steps and will make the area safe.

To prevent damage to buried high pressure pipelines, and any subsequent prosecutions, always contact the pipeline operator in advance of works so they can advise you of good practices, locate and mark out the pipeline and supervise works if required.

BPA are available 24/7 to offer advice and support landowners.  Contact us via the website or call 0800 585 387.

/by BPA Management

CLEARING DITCHES NEAR TO BURIED PIPELINES

Ditch clearing near buried pipelines

With the unseasonably wet weather the UK has experienced this summer, BPA’s Landowner Services team is asking landowners to be aware of buried high pressure oil pipelines before clearing ditches.

Many farmers and landowners are taking the opportunity to clear ditches to help alleviate the potential for flooding or water damage.  As part of BPA’s Know What’s Below campaign, the company regularly communicates with landowners to warn them of the risks to pipelines if the right procedures are not followed when clearing ditches along the company’s 1000km of buried oil pipelines.

Keeping watercourses well maintained benefits the community, particularly if an area experiences flooding as poorly maintained watercourses can be a nuisance, restrict access to property and can result in considerable expense and inconvenience for those that have been flooded.

Issues arise when landowners or contractors clear ditches with an excavator or other mechanical equipment as they have the potential to damage the buried high pressure oil pipelines.  Farmers or other landowners looking to operate in the vicinity of buried pipelines should contact the pipeline operator in advance before starting any works.

To help ensure the best and safest outcomes for all, BPA’s lands team ask that those who are looking to undertake any works within three metres of a buried BPA pipeline:

  • Give a minimum of 7 days-notice before works begin. This will ensure we can fully support you with your proposed activities.
  • Never assume you can go ahead unless consent is given. BPA’s team will be on hand to support your work, however, works should not begin until permission is granted.
  • Be aware pipeline depths vary under ditches and are not always protected with slabs. Be aware that pipeline depths vary across the country and can often be found only a metre below the surface, they are also seldom protected with concrete slabs.
  • Seek advice as pipelines do not always run in straight lines between marker posts. Although posts are used to mark the location of a pipeline at a field boundary, not all pipelines run in straight lines between posts. We’re here to help mark out the exact location.
  • Be aware that other infrastructure, such as cables, can be buried shallower than the pipeline. Often there are other potentially hazardous or safety critical infrastructure buried along the pipeline lengths, these can be found at even shallower depth to the pipeline.

Landowner’s responsibilities

It is also the landowner’s responsibility to ensure that contractors operating on their land comply with regulations.  Working near pipelines without taking the correct precautions can have serious consequences.

BPA’s Landowner Services team is on hand and able to support landowners regarding any questions or queries that they may have.  Our team is available 24/7 to offer advice and support landowners.  Contact us via the website or call 0800 585 387

/by BPA Management

Know What’s Below 2023

Know What's Below Campaign to keep landowners informed about buried high pressure oil pipelines

As part if its annual ‘Know What’s Below’ campaign, each year BPA’s lands team write to more than 2000 landowners across the country asking them to confirm that their contact details are correct so the company can get in contact with them should any work need to be carried out on the buried high pressure oil pipelines that run under their land.

The communication also gives landowners the opportunity to update their contact details and acts as a reminder as to the best practice guidelines, should landowners need to work in the vicinity of the pipeline.

As part of BPA’s Know What’s Below campaign and to support the process, BPA’s lands team has developed several ways in which landowners can contact the company to ensure their contact details are correct.  Not only is there a pre-paid envelope to respond to the letter but there is also an opportunity to respond via the website, via SMS or by calling the company’s freephone number.

Contacting landowners is also important as it reminds them of best practice and to contact BPA should they need to carry our works near to buried high pressure oil pipelines.  Below is a list of typical activities that may require pre-notification and approval from the pipeline operator. This is not an exhaustive list of works so contact should always be made prior to works beginning.

  • New or Replacement Fencing
  • Ditch clearance
  • Excavation activities
  • Subsoiling
  • Mole ploughing
  • Drainage work
  • Planting of trees and shrubs
  • Tree/Shrub removal
  • Building/Construction work
  • Installation of new services
  • Installation/Repair of roads and tracks

Having improved communications channels helps ensure that both the landowner and the pipeline operator have the correct contact details should there be an emergency or if BPA’s team need to access the land to undertake emergency works.

Due to the good communications between BPA and its landowners, illegal infringements have been kept to a minimum.  Pipelines in the UK are protected by The Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 which makes it illegal to cause any damage to the pipeline intentionally or unintentionally. As such, anyone working within 3 meters either side of the pipeline should contact the pipeline operator as working near to the pipeline without contacting the pipeline operator is generally illegal.  BPA advises that even if a landowner is aware of the pipeline, it is always best to contact the operator if planning works.  The operator can then send someone to supervise the works at no expense to the landowner.

If you receive a letter from BPA as part of the Know What’s Below campaign, please respond even if your contact details are correct.  That way we can be sure to have the correct contact information if needed.  Equally if you are planning any works near to the pipeline, please remember to contact a member of the BPA team and we can help ensure all works are undertaken safely.

/by BPA Management

FACTS ABOUT BURIED PIPELINES IN THE UK

Buried pipelines in the UK

Buried underneath the UK run a network of pipelines safely and efficiently carrying a range of products (including fuel, gas and chemicals) to strategic points across the country.

BPA is responsible for managing more than 2000km of buried pipelines that carry fuel at high pressure from ports and refineries to storage and distribution points across the UK.  Here we outline some fun facts about the UK’s buried pipeline network:

Did you know..?

  • The United Kingdom Pipeline Operators’ Association (UKOPA) manage more than 27,000 km of pipelines in the UK (nearly 5 times the distance between London and New York). Of that pipeline, more than 14,000km are buried oil and gas pipelines.  The pipelines run under agricultural land as well as through towns and cities.
  • The pipelines are actually shallower than many people realise and are often at a nominal dept of only 3 feet. In places they can be even shallower and are sometimes visible when crossing canals and rivers.
  • Damaging a pipeline can be very expensive – it is estimated that a damaged pipeline can cost around £15m to repair, this cost can escalate dramatically if there is a loss of product into the environment or the damage leads to explosion or a serious incident / injury.
  • Pipelines are protected by The Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 which makes it illegal to cause any damage to the pipeline intentionally or unintentionally. Working within 3 meters either side of the pipeline, without contacting the pipeline operator is generally illegal, so even if you have some knowledge about the pipeline it is always best to contact the operator if planning works.
  • The original pipelines were installed during the second world war to safely deliver fuel to British and US airbases around the country.
  • High-pressure oil and gas pipelines are laid in welded steel sections and carry products at high pressure – up to 50 times that of a car tyre.
  • Transporting product by pipeline greatly reduces the amount of tankers on the road and helps efficiently meet the UK’s fuel needs.
  • For anyone working within the vicinity of a pipeline, typically 50 metres, it’s essential that the pipeline operator knows about your presence.  This means contacting the pipeline operators if you are installing drains or pipes, deepening ditches, putting up fences, or doing any other construction or excavation work.
  • The route of the pipelines is constantly checked, both on foot and from the air.  Any infringements or unauthorised works will be detected.
  • The pipelines are indicated by a series of marker posts at key locations, however pipelines do not always travel in straight lines between marker posts so it is always best to contact the pipelines operator if you have any questions.

If you have any questions about the location of a pipeline on your land or if you would like to contact a member of BPA’s team to discuss undertaking some works near to the buried pipelines, contact a member of BPA’s Lands Team on 0800 585 387.

/by BPA Management

BPA HAMPERS DELIVERED FOR CHRISTMAS

It’s that time of the year again when we draw five lucky winners to receive a Christmas BPA hamper for simply responding to our annual letter.  It’s important to respond to our letters to ensure that our contact details for you are up to date so we can contact landowners in the event of an emergency or if we need to access the land to undertake essential maintenance work.

As an incentive for landowners to respond and to confirm whether they still own or have responsibility for the land under which our buried, high pressure oil pipelines run we enter all responders into a prize draw with the opportunity to win a hamper worth more than £100.

By responding, BPA can be sure to have up to date records and it also gives landowners an opportunity to inform BPA of any land changes, while also reminding them to contact BPA should they need to undertake any work in the vicinity of the buried high pressure pipeline. 

There are more than 1000 km of pipelines that bisect the UK and, although designed to meet the internal pressures, are susceptible to potential damage from people inadvertently working in close proximity to them.  Keeping landowners informed and aware of the pipeline also helps BPA to keep them safe from leaks caused by any unintentional damage to the pipeline. 

BPA is proud to achieve market leading response rates from its landowners with nearly 75% of those landowners targeted sending their completed forms back to BPA.  If there are any questions regarding keeping your details up to date or if you would like to speak to a member of BPA’s team, contact us on 0800 585 387 or email us at lands@bpa.co.uk. 

Thanks again to everyone who responded and congratulations to this year’s hamper winners. 

 

 

 

  

/by BPA Management

HELPING YOU TO WORK SAFELY NEAR TO BURIED OIL PIPELINES

Buried oil pipelines in Staffordshire

The British Pipeline Agency Limited (BPA) manages more than 1000km of buried high pressure fuel pipelines across the UK that carry highly flammable petroleum or natural gas products at very high pressure.

The pipelines bisect the UK and, although designed to meet the internal pressures, are susceptible to potential damage from people inadvertently working in close proximity to them.

To prevent accidents the lands team at BPA works with landowners giving them advice and support should they need to carry out works in close proximity to the pipelines.  In many cases the pipelines are less than one metre from the surface and this can inadvertently lead to accidents should the safety guidelines not be followed.  Any damage caused to the pipeline could prove not only costly but also potentially fatal.

The buried oil pipelines bisect the country.  BPA’s 1000km network includes buried oil pipelines that run from Cheshire, Staffordshire and down through Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.  BPA also manage the buried oil pipelines in around the London area and even across to East Anglia.

Every year, BPA writes to landowners to remind them of their obligations in relation to the buried oil pipelines.  The team works to ensure that they have the correct contact details for landowners and tenants should they need to be contacted in the event of an emergency or if repair work needs to be undertaken.

Equally the team is also on hand to offer free advice over the phone or visit the site to help provide support and advice to those looking to operate near to the buried pipeline network.  The team can identify the exact location of the buried oil pipeline and mark it out so that works can be safely carried out.

BPA is empowered to, and will, stop all works near the pipeline if it considers to be unsafe to the pipeline.  Landowners are also legally required to follow the Pipeline Safety Regulations 1996 that state that no person shall cause such damage to a pipeline as may give rise to a danger to persons.  Breaking these conditions can lead to prosecution.

As well as potential prosecution, damage to the pipeline could lead to environmental harm through serious pollution of soil, water and the atmosphere which is likely to lead to prosecution by the Environment Agency.  The cost of repair and subsequent clean-up are typically in the region of £10m.

As such, BPA aims to work closely with landowners and tenants along its pipeline network and to offer advice and support.  The team can also provide a presence on the ground and support landowners in ensuring any activities undertaken are done so in a safe manner.

If you have any questions or concerns relating to the buried oil pipeline under your land, please contact a member of the BPA team and let us assist you.

/by BPA Management

PLANTING TREES NEAR HIGH PRESSURE PIPELINES

The UK government has launched a £50 million scheme to help boost tree-planting rates as part of its fight against climate change.  The new Woodland Carbon Guarantee, and other such initiatives, aim to encourage farmers and landowners to plant more trees and create new woodland to store and absorb carbon from the atmosphere in return for payments

Landowners looking to plant trees and shrubs in the vicinity of high-pressure pipelines for this, or other purposes, should be aware of best practice guidelines as plant and tree roots can cause damage to the coatings used to protect the high-pressure pipelines.  This in turn could lead to damage of the pipeline itself.

Before planting any new trees or shrubs in the pipeline wayleave / easement, written permission should be obtained from the pipeline operator. Any approval granted by the pipeline operator shall be subject to retaining the rights to remove, at any point in the future, all trees, which in the opinion of a pipeline engineer, might become a risk to the pipeline and its integrity.

Guidance for planting trees near buried pipelines

The consent to plant trees will state what areas may be planted and also the type of tree.   The following should act as general guidance for tree planting, based on the centre line of the pipeline:

  • Shallow rooting hedges and ground plants (e.g. blackthorn, broom, elder, hazel, etc) may be planted, if necessary (for screening purposes or to mark boundaries) directly across the pipeline
  • Fruit trees, such as dwarf apple stocks, may be planted up to 3 metres of the pipeline
  • Christmas trees may be planted up to 3 metres of the pipeline on the strict understanding that these are clear-felled at intervals not exceeding 7 years
  • The following trees (and those of a similar size, whether deciduous or evergreen) are not permitted be planted withing 6 metres of the pipeline; e.g. ash, beech, birch, most conifers, elm, maple, lime, horse chestnut, oak, apple and pear trees. Within 6 – 10 metres they may be planted as individual specimens or as a single row. Dense mass planting may be carried out at distances of greater than 10 metres
  • Poplar and willow trees should not be planted within 10 metres of the pipeline

If you are in any doubt about planting trees or if you are proposing to fell trees or remove shrubs in the vicinity of high-pressure pipelines, please contact a member of BPA’s lands team who will be able to provide further help.

To download a full version of the best practice guidelines, click the following link: UKOPA GPG41 Tree Planting Guidelines Jul 22 Final Version.

/by BPA Management
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MOLE PLOUGHS POSE RISK TO BURIED OIL PIPELINES

Mole Ploughs pose risk to buried pipelines

Did you know mole ploughing is one of the highest risk activities the farming community can undertake around buried pipelines?

This is because our buried high pressure oil pipelines are typically only 4ft (or just over a metre) deep, and in some cases can be shallower.  To ensure safety, we advise that a minimum pipeline clearance depth of around 2ft/600mm should always be in place.

Mole ploughing is a method of installing small diameter polyethylene pipes in rural areas quickly and with minimal disruption or environmental impact. Mole ploughing allows small diameter mains and services pipes to be inserted without having to dig wide trenches by creating a narrow temporary trench for installing.  The depth of the pipeline insertion can however potentially cause damage to buried high pressure oil pipelines.

So, if you are undertaking mole ploughing, make sure you contact BPA and, if necessary, the team can visit the site, check the pipeline depth and help to ensure your works are safe and there are no injuries caused.  Remember that the pipeline operator needs to be contacted if you are planning to undertake works within a 80ft/25m zone around our pipelines.

Although field markers are a good indicator of pipelines under your land, remember that marker posts do not always run in straight lines and that there can be bends under the ground.  To be sure, contact BPA and let us help determine the exact location of the pipeline so you or your contractors can operate safely and without risk to the public or environment.

/by BPA Management