Highway search

This page provides information about highway searches, what they are and how to undertake one.

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Highway searches are undertaken by developers, statutory undertakers (such as utility and telecoms companies) and solicitors to see if a road forms part of the highway and is maintainable at public expense (S36, Highways Act 1980).

Highway searches are undertaken by developers, statutory undertakers (such as utility and telecoms companies) and solicitors to see if a road forms part of the highway and is maintainable at public expense (S36, Highways Act 1980). 
 
Highway searches are normally carried out as part of the conveyance process (CON29) when buying or selling a property, examining whether the property borders a highway maintainable at public expense. 
 
Highway searches may happen for other reasons. For example, a specific query about the length and width of a highway, alignment issues and public access queries. 

 

You can undertake a highway search online yourself. There is no charge for this service. Go to the map of public highways and you’ll be able to see if a highway is maintainable at public expense. 
 
The information provided is correct to the best of our knowledge but doesn’t provide information on the width of a highway across the whole network and cannot purport to be an accurate surveyed record at site plan scales. 
 
The council accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of this information if used for conveyance purposes. 
If you’d like more information about the status, width or extent of a highway than is provided, you can submit an email request: highwaysearch@northumberland.gov.uk 
 
Where the email request is for a map of the extent of the highway and additional questions, the standard charge is £40.  Please provide a postcode or the co-ordinates/grid reference of the property, and a location plan highlighting the property boundary. 
 
The search query will normally be answered within three to five working days of confirmation of the online payment, BACS transfer or receipt of the cheque. 

You have three options for paying for your highway search. Complete an online form and, once you have paid online, we will be alerted and will schedule your email request for a response. 

Pay by BACS using the following details: 
 
Bank: Barclays Receipts Account 
Account No: 53023915 
Sort Code: 20-58-25 
Reference: HS203100320081 
 
Please issue a remittance advice to Cashiersfinance@northumberland.gov.uk or post to: 
 
Northumberland County Council 
Cashiers 
County Hall 
Morpeth 
Northumberland 
NE61 2EF 
 
Alternatively, you can submit an email request and send a cheque for £40, payable to Northumberland County Council, to: 
 
Infrastructure Records Team 
Technical Services 
Northumberland County Council 
County Hall, Morpeth 
Northumberland 
NE61 2EF 
 
Please provide a reference to the cheque in the email request. If you don’t have access to email, you can send your request in writing. 

If you have any questions about highway searches, please submit your question to: highwaysearch@northumberland.gov.uk