RodRadar is entering the UK market through a partnership with Lynch Plant Hire, bringing its Live Dig Radar (LDR) technology to construction sites nationwide. The system, embedded in excavation equipment, uses real-time ground-penetrating radar to detect and alert operators to underground utilities during digging.
The move aims to address a costly challenge for the UK construction sector. An estimated 60,000 utility strikes occur annually, costing the economy about £2.4 billion once delays, safety risks and environmental impacts are factored in.
RodRadar’s technology provides instant, automated alerts to reduce reliance on outdated or inaccurate utility maps. In a U.S. project cited by the company, the LDR helped avoid 200 mismarked or unknown utilities, preventing more than 1,000 hours of downtime.
Under the agreement, Lynch will be the sole plant hire company offering the Live Dig Radar system across Great Britain. Machine Tech, a newly formed provider of construction technology services, has been named exclusive UK distributor.
Industry leaders say the alliance reflects a shift from reactive damage control to proactive prevention as underground infrastructure grows increasingly congested. With the UK’s National Underground Asset Register nearing rollout, tools that provide real-time excavation data are expected to become standard practice.
