Trenchless technology enabling Horizontal Drilling underground, with the ability to steer to avoid obstacles in the ground.
EPS provide underground utility installation that is fast, efficient and environmentally friendly. Our streamlined process requires minimal space which avoids unnecessary disruption and inconvenience. There is no need for extensive surface cutting or digging long trenches. ‘No-dig’ techniques are very adaptable to various soil conditions and protected locations.
This technique provides accurate utility installation, which also protects wildlife and any ecologically sensitive locations. It is an incredibly cost-effective method of replacing old utility systems or installing new utilities.
Select your installation type and pinpoint your exact start and end locations on our interactive map to get started!
Trenchless technology enabling Horizontal Drilling underground, with the ability to steer to avoid obstacles in the ground.
Directional Drilling is a technique for installing utilities such as Water pipes, Electric Cables and Gas pipes underground along distances up to 250 metres. State of the art Directional Drilling equipment can be steered deeper underground or around obstructions blocking its path.
This removes the need to dig long, unsightly, messy trenches to lay pipes and cables. Directional Drilling creates neat accurate bore holes under the ground, which utilities can be pulled back through.
The whole process is fast, cost effective, and kind to the environment, with minimal surface damage.
dependent on the required diameter and the ground conditions
(subject to pipe size and ground conditions)
ground dependent
Ashford is a market town in Kent in southeastern England. It’s known for its mix of historical charm and modern amenities, along with its strategic position and transport links. Ashford is about 12 miles north of the coast, in the Weald of Kent. Ashford International railway station provides direct services to London (around 37 minutes to St Pancras), and international connections through the Eurostar to France and Belgium. The town is also well-connected by road, with the M20 motorway passing through the area. Ashford history, dates back to at least the 13th century. The town grew as a market town and was historically known for its wool trade, which was central to its economy in medieval times. The town also developed over the years due to its proximity to London and the south coast.
In recent years, Ashford has seen significant growth and development. The town’s proximity to London has made it an attractive place for commuters, leading to new housing developments and improvements to the town’s infrastructure. Ashford has also developed as a regional commercial and retail centre, with a growing number of businesses and shopping options. While the town itself is bustling, it is surrounded by beautiful countryside, making it a great base for exploring the Kent countryside. The nearby Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers walking, cycling, and scenic views.
Overall, Ashford is a town that blends modern living with historical roots and a close-knit community vibe. It’s ideal for those who want a mix of rural charm and urban convenience, especially with its excellent transport connections.
When planning directional drilling in Ashford (or any location), the ground conditions are crucial in determining the success and of the project. Ashford in Kent, has varying soil types depending on the area including clay, loamy soils, and sand. The type of soil will affect ability to drill successfully. For example, clay soils may be more challenging to drill through compared to softer sands or gravels. Depending on the specific location, geological formations such as chalk, sandstones, or even bedrock might exist at varying depths, which would influence the drilling process. Areas near rivers or wetlands may have a higher water table, which could affect drilling, especially in terms of mud losses and bore stability. It’s important to know if there are existing underground utilities or structures, as they could pose challenges when planning the directional drilling path.
We start with conducting a detailed survey, a site visit, and the use of online technology to check geological information
From conception to completion, EPS will work in partnership with you, planning and advising you on the best way to complete your project
The directional drilling process is handled professionally and meticulously by our fully qualified engineers from start to finish
We leave your site clean and clear of all materials and debris, providing an end-to-end service and complete reinstatement and site clearance.
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a trenchless method of installing underground utilities and infrastructure. In Ashford, HDD is typically used for a variety of applications, particularly in urban and rural areas where traditional open-cut methods might be impractical, costly, or disruptive.
HDD is frequently used to install water pipes, sewer lines, and stormwater drains under roads, railways, or other infrastructure. This avoids the need for extensive excavation and is particularly useful when dealing with areas that have existing utilities or fragile environments. HDD can also be used to install gas and oil pipes, especially in areas with sensitive surface environments where surface disruption must be minimised. HDD is often used in Ashford to install electrical cables, fibre optic cables, and telecoms lines.
In Ashford, Horizontal Directional Drilling is an ideal method for crossing under natural features such as the River Stour or transportation infrastructure like railways and roads. HDD allows for the installation of utilities under these obstacles without disturbing the surface or interrupting traffic flow.
Horizontal Directional Drilling is beneficial in areas where environmental protection is a priority. This method reduces soil erosion, preserves landscaping, and prevents damage to local ecosystems by avoiding large-scale excavation. In Ashford, where areas of natural beauty and agricultural land exist, HDD helps protect these areas from unnecessary disturbance. As Ashford has both rural and urban environments, HDD is a preferred method for utility installation in residential areas where street access might be limited, and digging up roads or sidewalks could cause significant disruption. Horizontal Directional Drilling minimises the impact on residents and businesses, as it avoids lengthy road closures or surface restoration. HDD is particularly useful in Ashford, which has key transportation routes (like the M20 motorway and rail links). Installing utilities under highways or rail tracks is made possible by HDD, preventing road closures, traffic disruptions, and the need for heavy excavation
If you’re considering HDD for a specific project in Ashford, get a price at the bottom of this page with a site survey to determine the most effective path and check for any potential environmental or logistical challenges.
The drilling process is carefully planned and carried out by our qualified engineers who ensure accuracy and efficiency throughout. All our clients can expect the following benefits from our Horizontal Directional Drilling services:
Small carbon footprint, environmentally friendly methods
No need for inconvenient and unnecessary road closures
No need for restricted working hours or premium rates
No disruption to infrastructure, services or the surface
HDD can also be used for gravity gradient installations
Horizontal directional drilling, often referred to as HDD or trenchless technology, is an innovative technique for laying underground utilities such as pipes, cables, ducts, and conduits without resorting to conventional trenching. Instead of creating open trenches, this method starts with a pilot hole that is drilled diagonally from the surface toward a desired endpoint. After the initial hole is made, advanced drilling equipment enlarges and steers the hole in the desired direction while underground. This seamless process provides minimal damage to the surface ground and is not as invasive as conventional methods, saving our clients money and the hassle of restoring the area after large excavation work.
Our procedure starts by drilling a pilot borehole that follows a predetermined route. We then expand the hole along the trajectory established by the pilot bore, a process referred to as back reaming. Finally, the product pipe is pulled through the enlarged passage.
The machine we will choose for your project is dependent on your site and location. For our smaller and more fragile ecological sites, we will select our smaller HDD machine to ensure that we minimise disruption to the environment and protect delicate ecosystems. This smaller HDD machine is designed to navigate tight spaces and sensitive terrain with precision and care, allowing us to complete the job while minimising impact on the surrounding area.
For larger sites that require greater power and capacity, we have larger HDD machines equipped to handle more demanding projects, whilst still maintaining little impact at your location. These machines are capable of tackling larger bore diameters and longer distances, providing the necessary strength and efficiency to complete the job effectively.
No matter the size or complexity of your project, we have the expertise and equipment to ensure successful horizontal directional drilling while prioritising environmental conservation and minimising disruption to sensitive areas.
Directional drilling is utilised for laying utility lines and conduits, providing a more economical and minimally invasive option compared to conventional vertical drilling methods.
This approach provides many advantages over conventional drilling as it is possible to lay or repair utility pipes, ducts, or cables, without excavations of large amounts of ground and provides options for laying pipes in sensitive or protected areas.
There are many advantages to employing horizontal and directional drilling. These are, minimal disturbances to surfaces, reduced environmental impact, cost savings, enhanced safety, and provides minimal disruption to utilities.
This is entirely dependent on the machine used for your location and ground conditions and/or obstructions. We will conduct a site visit and discuss the plan of action. Pipes from 25mm to 355mm diameters can be installed over distances of up to 200 metres in a single shot. Ducting, cables, and pipework can also be installed in either straight or curved lines.
No, it won’t. Our methods and trenchless technology will minimise disturbance in your location. Our approach ensures that we can carry out our work efficiently and effectively while keeping the impact on your surroundings to an absolute minimum. We will conduct a site visit before work takes place, talk through your requirements and we will evaluate the area to identify any obstacles or obstructions that may be present.
If you require work in protected or specialist areas, we can provide minimal disruption to the natural environment, ensure compliance with any relevant regulations or restrictions, and respect the integrity of the site.
We provide many trenchless solutions such as guided auger boring, moling, pipe bursting, pipe ramming, small footprint drilling, s50works, and fire hydrant testing.
We provide our expert trenchless solutions across a span of industries in the UK. Our industries include environmental remediation, water management, utility services, civil engineering and construction, and more.
Select your installation type and pinpoint your exact start and end locations on our interactive map to get started!
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