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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 payment on-line. Simply tick the box to say plans are being sent, then post them to:

UtilitySearch
184 Brownlow Road
Horwich
Bolton
BL6 7EL

If you have made payment on-line you can print off a receipt through the 'payment details' function when viewing a request.

If you have made payment by cheque you will get a receipt once the transaction has been processed by the billing team. This can be some weeks after your search has been completed.

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

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.

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