Following on from The Conveyancing Network's new partnership with Searches UK, we are pleased to offer FREE HS2 (High Speed 2 - proposed high speed railway link) searches to our member solicitors and licensed conveyancers throughout the month of February 2012.
Join the Conveyancing Network and receive FREE HS2 searches
If you are a solicitor or licensed conveyancer in the UK, by joining The Conveyancing Network panel during February 2012, you have access to FREE HS2 searches provided by Searches UK. HS2 (High Speed 2) is a proposed high speed rail link from London to Birmingham (Midlands) . In January 2012 the construction of phase 1 between London and Birmingham was approved with an indicated opening date of 2026. Back in 2009 the UK Labour government formed High Speed Two Limited, a government company formed to develop the high speed rail line.
So how does this affect home buyers and sellers?
Obviously not everyone in the country will be affected by the development of this high speed rail link, but some local authorities and boroughs will be affected by the initial construction which is due to commence in 2017. These include:
Aylesbury Vale, Birmingham City Council, Camden Council, Cherwell District Council, Chiltern District Council, Coventry District Council, Islington District Council, Lichfield District Council, London Borough of Brent, London Borough of Ealing, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, London Borough of Harrow, London Borough of Hillingdon, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Royal Borough of Kensignton and Chelsea, Solihul Metropolitan Borough Council, South Buckinghamshire District Council, South Northamptonshire District Council, Stratford Upon Avon District Council, Three Rivers District Council, Warwick District Council, Westminster District Council and Wycombe District Council.
Local authorities will only provide information on the proposed HS2 development and route, within a 200m radius of a property. It is obvious that properties further away will still be affected by issues such as noise pollution, vibration, construction work and increased traffic. By ordering an HS2 search through Searches UK, you can be sure that the search report will answer the following:
- What is the nearest distance between the property and the rail link within a 5000m radius?
- What is the maximum speed of the train at the nearest point (this data is currently unavailable in other similar searches and could have an impact on the vibration and noise pollution experienced by property owners)?
- What is the distance to the nearest overland and below ground line location?
With this information home buyers can make informed decisions on whether to proceed with a particular property purchase, with relative piece of mind that the HS2 is not going to affect their new home or surroundings.
Ordering HS2 searches for your conveyancing clients
If you would like to order HS2 (High Speed 2) searches for your conveyancing clients, you can order them via email or alternatively contact Searches UK on 0845 241 1815. Please make sure that you quote "TCN" or "The Conveyancing Network" in all correspondence to make sure you receive your HS2 report for FREE and then at a discounted price beyond February 2012.