1. What's the difference
between a Distribution search and a Transmission search? |
A Distribution
search covers localised
infrastructure, such as the gas pipes that are situated
in towns and Villages and sometimes across country .
A Gas Distribution search can be carried out for Cadent
Gas Ltd. areas via this website. Cadent Gas Ltd. covers
the majority of gas distribution pipes in the middle
of England. However Scotland, Wales and Southern England
are covered by other Gas Transporters.
For an explanation of Distribution vs
Transmission, please see this
map.
The operators addresses can be found
by using our post code
checker. For Distribution electric plans you would
need to contact local electric companies and their details
can be found at http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Networks/ElecDist/Pages/ElecDist.aspx
You can also view information about the electricity
distribution network operators here: http://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/electricity-distribution-map.html
A Transmission search
covers regional infrastructures such as overhead electric
cables and high pressure underground gas pipes and underground
High Voltage electric cables. To find out what National Grid plc covers please refer to the map within the postcode
checker.
In a nutshell; Transmission apparatus
takes power to the Distribution system. Distribution
apparatus takes power to the end user.
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2. What does UtilitySearch
cover? |
UtilitySearch facilitates (Gas) Distribution
searches for cadent Gas Ltd. areas and (Gas &
Electric) Transmission searches for National Grid
plc areas. For a visual map of areas covered, please
click
here.
Utilitysearch is a service for solicitors
and conveyancing companies dealing with Cadent gas
distribution and National Grid, electricity &
gas transmission.
If your enquiry is in relation to your property service
pipes or independent Gas Transporters (IGT's), you
should consider calling the gas transporter helpline
0870 160 0229
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3. What are the charges
and how do I pay? |
A Cadent Gas
Distribution search is £36.34 + VAT.
A National Grid Transmission search is £63.83
+ VAT.
These charges cover a standard
search, for large searches a bespoke costing will be
required. Please see Qn 4.
Both can be paid for online by credit card or you can
pay by cheque (made payable to 'Utilitysearch').
It is recommended that where requesting multiple searches
or different search types that you pay for them individually
incase a refund is required. All searches require pre-payment.
At time of writing (March
2018), the standard charges for gas distribution
searches for other operators are as follows: Northern
Gas Networks £25+VAT, Scotland and Southern £58.33+VAT,
Wales and the West £36+VAT. Utilitysearch does
not provide a service for these operators. Please see
our map of the areas and addresses from our postcode
checker. Whilst we do not cover all areas for gas
distribution, we do provide National Grid transmission
searches for the UK excluding Northern Ireland.
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4. What is a 'standard'
area? |
The standard
charge is based on a plan with a scale of 1:1250. This
would roughly cover 500m x 500m if printed on A3 and
varies depending on scale, orientation and printing
medium. If the area is densely populated with Infrastructure
then 1:500 scale may be required and this will reduce
the overall size of the printable area conversely if
there is very little infrastructure in the area for
example a pipeline crossing fields then results may
be produced on 1:2500 scale covering a slightly larger
area. If the information cannot be clearly displayed
on the plans detailed above for example large areas
with densely populated infrastructure then they may
be priced at a bespoke rate by the engineer; if this
is the case then you will be informed and asked to confirm
payment prior to work being undertaken. If you do have
any query regarding the pricing then please get in touch
to discuss your requirements.
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5. Why is there such a
difference in charges between Distribution & Transmission? |
Transmission
seasrches (National Grid) cover Gas Pipelines and Electric
overground and Underground assets and usually has larger
search areas such as farmland, estates etc.
Distribution searches (cadent + others) only cover gas
ditribution and usually cover small isolated areas such
as domestic, commercial and industrial properties
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6. Which utility company
looks after my search area? |
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7. I don't have a post
code for the search area, is this a problem? |
It makes the
process a lot quicker and more accurate if there is
a post code. Try using www.postcode.royalmail.com
Alternatively, grid co-ordinates
should be supplied. Try using www.streetmap.co.uk
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8. I don't have access
to a large scanner to get my plans on-line, what should
I do? |
If you don't
have a scanner, often a photo (even from a mobile phone)
will be clear enough to use. Alternatively if you only
have a hard copy, you can still input your request and
pay on-line. Simply tick the box to say plans are being
sent in the post, then send them to:
UtilitySearch
Mansell House
Aspinall Close
Horwich
Bolton
BL6 6QQ
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9. Can I check the status
of my search request on-line? |
You are
able to log into your account and view your submitted
requests at any time. Once submitted, your request is
immediately awaiting an engineer to complete the request
and you will be able to view the response once it's
been completed. At this time we don't display the estimated
completion date, please see the FAQ below regarding
how long the search process takes along with the ability
to prioritise.
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10. Can I cancel a request
once it has been submitted? |
As long
as the engineers have not started processing the search,
we will hapily cancel the search and refund the fee.
However if work has commenced upon the search we are
unable to refund. In order to cancel a search, please
find your search in the system and view the search detalis.
At the top right under options, you will find a 'Cancel
Search' button. If you have submitted two searches for
a property (Cadent and National Grid) then you will
need to cancel both searches separately if that is what
you require.
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11. How long does the search
process take? |
The National Grid & Cadent engineers
operate to a standard of D + 7 working days. The average
time to complete an on-line search is 2 business days
with results often being provided the day after they
are submitted. It may take longer if there is a high
volume going through the system or due to resource
constraints. Postal requests will definitely take
longer due to the postal time as well as the manual
data input/output stages required. For this reason,
we highly recommend submitting online.
In order to ensure no delays, please ensure your plan
is clearly marked with the property boundary, readable
roadnames where possible and a comprehensive address,
ideally with Easting and Northing Grid References.
Expediting Requests:
If your search requires a faster turnaround, you have
the ability to mark the (online) search as a high
priority. However in order to be fair to all customers,
this is restricted to a small quantity based on your
monthly volumes submitted. To prioritise or view your
remaining allotment, once your request is in the system,
find and view the request and you will see the option
at the top right of the request details.
Note: A high priority search will provide the results
sooner than normal as it will be amongst the first
searches to be completed by the engineers when they
start processing requests (typically done daily).
This ability however is provided as good-will and
does not guarantee an instantaneous turnaround, the
timescales could in some circumstances still be similar
to those advised above.
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12. Can I get a VAT receipt? |
If you have
made payment on-line you can print off a receipt through
the 'payment details' button when viewing your request
online.
If you have made payment
by cheque, you will be able to view/download the Invoice
from the 'payment details' button when viewing your
request online.
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13. The plan I have received
states "Site supplied by IGT (Independent Gas Transporter)",
how do I find their contact details? |
If the area
of your search is marked with "Site supplied by an IGT"
or contains "IGT Polygons" such as a new housing
estate or new commercial park, then ‘Cadent Gas
Limited and/or National Grid plc will have gas mains
in the vicinity and the search may indicate this, however
the specific property may be supplied with Gas by another
gas Transporter, and they may own gas mains supplying
your property with gas, for assistance identifying the
owner of these gas mains you will need to contact the
Gas Transporter Helpline on 0870 160 0229. For more
information go to
http://cadentgas.com/Get-connected/8-steps
or http://www.energylinx.co.uk/independent_gas_transporters.htm
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14. What will
I receive in terms of results |
When a search is carried
out, your site will be checked against the records of
the supplier to ascertain if there are assets owned
by the supplier within or in close proximity to the
property boundary which could mean that there are easements
or wayleaves. If this is the case then the response
letter would advise accordingly and you will be provided
with a map showing these assets. Should there be the
possibility of easements then you would be required
to obtain these from Land Registry. If there are no
assets affected by the property or within proximity
then you will still likely be provided with a plan of
the suppliers assets but only if the map facets are
held by the supplier for the area. Regardless of if
a map is provided or not, the search of assets still
requires to be carried out by the supplier and as such
the fee remains payable.
For sample response documentation (subject
to change), please see our documentation
library.
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15. What if I
intend to carry out excavation or construction |
The service administered
by utilitysearch should not be used when carrying out
excavations or construction work for which you would
need to contact the Plant Protection team. Please refer
to :
Plant Protection
Cadent Gas Ltd.,
Block 1 Brick Kiln Street
Hinckley LE10 0NA
0800 688 588
plantprotection@cadentgas.com
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