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 countryside.
A Gas Distribution search can be carried out for Cadent
Gas Ltd. areas via this website. Cadent Gas Limited
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, Gas and Electricity
transmission searches for National Grid Gas and National
Grid Electricity areas. For a visual map of areas
covered, please click
here.
Utilitysearch is a service for solicitors,
conveyancing companies and individuals dealing with
Cadent gas distribution, National Grid Electricity
Transmission and National Grig Gas Transmission. This
search will ascertain if Easements or Wayleaves may
exist for the property of interest with acompanying
plans where applicable.
If your enquiry is in relation to your property service
pipes or independent Gas Transporters (IGT's), you
should consider contacting www.energynetworks.org,
www.findmysupplier.energy,
the Meter Number Helpline on 0870 6081524 or for
more information on IGT's please refer to: www.ofgem.gov.uk/gas/distribution-networks/connections-and-competition/independent-gas-transporters
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3. What are the charges
and how do I pay? |
| The charges for each search
will be displayed upon submitting a search of your desired
search type. Payment can be made by debit or credit card,
which is done by our payment provider 'Nochex'
A Cadent Gas Distribution
search is £36.34 + VAT.
National Grid have two searches combined (Gas Transmission
and Electricity Transmission) for which the total cost
is £72.68 + VAT.
Both can be paid for online by credit card
or you can pay by cheque (made payable to 'Utilitysearch').
All searches require pre-payment.
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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 1km2. 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 your area is larger than this then we
recommend breaking it down into smaller parcels of land,
which will also help identify which parcel of land may
be affected by an easement.
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5. Why is there such a
difference in charges between Distribution & Transmission? |
Transmission
searches (National Grid) is two searches combined and
cover the combined transmission of Gas Pipelines and
Electric overground and Underground assets. They are
operated by two independent companies, National Grid
Electricity Transmission and National Grid Gas Transmission
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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
|
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
|
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 more than one
search for a property (Gas Distribution and the Transmission
searches) then you will need to cancel all 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.
|
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 www.energynetworks.org.
For more information go to
http://cadentgas.com/Get-connected/8-steps
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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. Can I get a VAT Receipt |
Yes, simply login, find
and view the request that you require a receipt for.
Beside the payment line, you will see a 'Details' buton.
Select this and it will open a popup window with the
payment details. At the bottom of this popup, you will
see a link to view the receipt.
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