This article describes Highways Search, available through Unity® Search
A Highways search is an official enquiry conducted during property transactions to check a land or building's legal relationship to public roads.
What a Highways Search Shows
- Adopted roads: It confirms which surrounding roads and footpaths are public highways maintained at public expense by the local council.
- Boundary access: It shows if the public highway touches the property boundary directly or if an intervening private piece of land (known as a "ransom strip") blocks legal access to the road.
- Road schemes and orders: It highlights planned local road changes, traffic regulation orders, or compulsory purchase orders within the immediate vicinity.
Why It Is Needed
- Conveyancing due diligence: Solicitors recommend it when buying, selling, or leasing property to ensure buyers will not be stuck maintaining a private road or lack legal access from their driveway to the public network.
- Resolving disputes: It clarifies boundary doubts and public rights of way crossing over the land
What does it cost?
The cost varies with each council. Some costs depend on the length/width of road required to be searched, and some depend on the plan size. Some councils also charge depending on whether the search area is deemed a development site. It is advised to request a quote for all highways searches.
Please contact ConciergeService@dyedurham.com for all quotes.
What’s the turnaround time for searches?
This is again dependent on the councils. There are searches in the Kent County Council area which are taking as long as 60 working days to return. The turnaround times will be advised at the time of quoting.
How are the results presented?
Searches are usually presented as a plan with a legend showing the extent of the adopted highway. The council may provide an explanation of the search results.
If an Official Local Authority Search has been requested, the council may provide the results within this search. It will advise the requested roads as a YES/NO answer and may provide a plan to support the answer. If no plan is provided, then a highways search is required to advise further information.
Any questions, please contact ConciergeService@dyedurham.com
(add link for Landmark Site Solutions highways search for an alternative option to order)