A Londonderry company has been praised for running a website which helps contractors avoid damaging underground pipes and cabling.

Foyle Technologies has been congratulated by the Construction Employers Federation for managing the site that gives contractors quick and easy access to the location of BT Northern Ireland's myriad of works.

Launched just a few months ago www.checkplan.co.uk aims to help contractors avoid damage to BT's pipes and cabling that could result in unnecessary loss of services to consumers.

John Armstrong, deputy director of the Construction Employers Federation, said having fast and efficient access to this information would reduce the likelihood of any accidental damage to BT equipment and save the contractors the high cost of repair.

"I applaud Foyle Technologies and BT's efforts in establishing this website and would recommend our members to use the free service that CheckPlan offers" he said.

"Other utilities should follow BT's lead and place their network maps, highlighting underground pipes and cabling online. Constructors could then check areas for utility equipment quicker than the current arrangements."

Foyle Technologies won the contract to manage communications between the BT e-Records office in Belfast and the many construction professionals throughout Northern Ireland.

Terry Kavanagh, managing director of Foyle Technologies, has already seen heavy use of the website since its launch, with more than 170 construction professionals regularly making use of the free service.