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