Highways Searches

What is a Highway Search? 

  • A highway search is the process used to research highway records to determine if a road is 'adopted' - i.e. part of the highway maintainable at public expense.

  • It is usually carried out as part of the conveyance process (CON29) when buying or selling a property to determine who is responsible for the maintenance of the road and whether there are any public rights to use the road.

  • It may also be carried out for other reasons, for example - to answer a specific enquiry about the extent of the highway (ie: width, boundary to boundary) and/or other detailed questions relating to the existence of public access rights and alignments - such as public footpaths or bridleways, as well as planned road works, traffic flow information etc.