Linewatch: Complacency causes 9% increase in pipeline incidents in 2025
Published by Elizabeth Corner,
Senior Editor
World Pipelines,
There were 311 incidents of workers putting themselves at risk by digging too close to a high-pressure fuel pipeline in 2025, according to Linewatch, the leading pipeline safety awareness group.
Data from the inaugural Linewatch Infringement Report shows a 9% increase in the overall number of infringements reported last year. Just under half (49%) of these occurred even though the person responsible for digging knew of the pipeline’s existence. This highlights a concerning trend of complacency amongst those working near high-pressure underground pipelines.
Digging deeper, the Report reveals that 23% of all reports recorded in 2025 were due to fencing works, reclaiming its spot as the biggest cause of pipeline infringements across the UK for the first time since 2022. Excavation for service, including full fibre broadband or water services, and the construction of new structures posed the next greatest threats to pipeline integrity at 23% and 12% respectively.
Looking at the people responsible, landowners and their contractors were at fault for more than half of all pipeline infringements last year, a 10% increase from 2024. This makes the UK’s agriculture industry the biggest risk to pipeline safety for the ninth year running.
When it comes to the timings of infringements, there is a clear pattern, with incidents much higher in Q1 and Q3. February sees the highest peak in incidents across the year with 36 infringements, and November the lowest with 16. This directly correlates with seasonal work and businesses increasing workload to use up budgets before the start of the new financial year.
Murray Peat, Manager at Linewatch, comments: “Our latest Infringement Report paints a concerning picture. While we know attitudes to safe digging are changing, this is yet to be reflected in our reporting.
“What’s even more concerning is that half of all pipeline infringements in 2025 occurred despite the person digging knowing a pipeline was present. This is a worrying trend, and one we will focus on negating in 2026 and beyond.”
However it’s not all negative news. Developer-related infringements fell by 60%, a success attributed to earlier engagement, which sees developers involve pipeline operators during the initial planning and design stages, rather than reacting during construction.
Murray Peat concludes: “The first step for avoiding underground pipes is simple. Run a quick search using LSBUD’s free system before a spade or digger bucket hits the ground. Doing so will alert you to the presence of a pipeline, and it takes less than three minutes – enough time to make a brew while you wait.”
As well as tracking infringements and producing the Infringement Report, Linewatch advises thousands of people on safe digging practices each year across the UK. In 2025, Linewatch delivered 135 free Safety Awareness Briefings to organisations across the UK to over 2400 people.
Visit the Linewatch website to download the full 2025 Infringement Report.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/equipment-and-safety/25062026/linewatch-complacency-causes-9-increase-in-pipeline-incidents-in-2025/
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