Topographical surveys

What is a topographical survey and where and when is it employed? How are you informed of this? What if I have not been contacted in relation to a topographical survey?

Frequently asked questions
What is a topographical survey?

A topographical survey is a report that is drawn up by an independent expert and is a thorough description of the property.
Why must a topographical survey be drawn up?

During some work (boring tunnels, installing foundation poles, demolition work, etc.) sudden problems may occur or cracks can appear in houses in the vicinity of the work.

The existing structural deficiencies (cracks, instability of the structure, etc.) are localised, photographed and accurately described.

The differences between the topographical survey before the work and the topographical survey after the work enable any damage to buildings to be established.

The topographical survey does not, of course, establish the cause of the damage. It is only a record thereof.
Where are topographical surveys drawn up?

During major infrastructure works, the following properties may be eligible for a topographical survey:

  • properties with a communal border with the Infrabel site or with each site used by the contractor irrespective of the duration of use
  • dwellings on roads that are used for the transport of materials and equipment
  • properties in the vicinity of public roads or unmetalled roads that lead to the site and which are used by contractors’ lorries (or subcontractors, suppliers or others)
  • properties of claimants who have made themselves known during the environmental investigation
  • properties whose locations entitle them to be included in the topographical survey; factors that determine this type of location include:
    • dominant wind direction: for sites where there is a risk of dust accumulation
    • relative importance: sole access, sole supply route…
When is a topographical survey drawn up?

The topographical survey is drawn up before work starts. After completion of the work, a topographical survey is drawn up again.
Who draws up the topographical surveys?

The topographical survey is drawn up by an independent expert in the presence of the owner of the property, the contractor and the commissioning party.
How are owners informed of this?

The residents are informed of the expert’s intervention via a house-to-house information leaflet. The expert then contacts the residents.
What happens if there is damage after work has been completed?

Infrabel does everything in its power to prevent damage occurring. If you discover damage, please contact us immediately. You can call on 0800 55 000 or use the contact form. If it is proven that the damage was caused by work carried out by Infrabel, the contractor must compensate the owners. This takes the form of a payment.
Nobody has contacted me about a topographical survey. Can I ask someone to come and perform one?

If you have not been contacted about a topographical survey but are entitled to undergo one then you can contact us on 0800 55 000. Depending on your request, Infrabel will assess whether or not an expert will need to be engaged to make an assessment.
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