Underground cables have been hit by Northern Ireland workmen over 700 times in the last year leading to contractors calling for more accuracy in regard to underground mapping.

Despite efforts to avoid hitting the cabling workers repairing roads and footpaths continue to accidentally hit them.

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This news is according to a report by the Road Contracting Industry. They claim that the failure to map out underground cable accurately could lead to serious injury or death.

Meanwhile others claim that the workers in most danger are the digger drivers and workers whose job it is to excavate roads.

The contractors said the lives of their workmen coming behind the utility companies depend on accurate records being kept.

Contractors are calling for a greater onus on the utility companies to provide accurate information on where pipes and cables are positioned.

(LB)