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
Broadstairs is a seaside town in Kent, on the southeastern coast of England. It is part of the Thanet district and is situated along the coast of the English Channel. Known for its beautiful sandy beaches, picturesque cliffside views, and historic buildings, Broadstairs has long been a popular destination for tourists, particularly from London. Broadstairs is about 75 miles southeast of London. The town is to the northeast of Ramsgate and southwest of Margate.
Broadstairs primary industries historically revolve around tourism, fishing, and agriculture. The town’s attractive coastline, sandy beaches, and Victorian architecture draw visitors, especially during the summer. Many tourists come for day trips, weekend getaways, or longer vacations, so local businesses, including hotels, guesthouses, cafés, and restaurants, thrive off the seasonal visitors. The town’s high street and seafront are home to many independent shops, including those selling local crafts, antiques, and art. Agriculture remains an important aspect of the broader Thanet district, including around Broadstairs. The fertile land of the area has been used for growing crops such as fruit, vegetables, and flowers. In recent years, there has been a rise in creative industries in Broadstairs and nearby towns like Margate, with some digital media, graphic design, and photography businesses making a presence.
Though Broadstairs itself doesn’t have major industrial centre, the town benefits from its excellent transport links, particularly by rail. Its proximity to the Port of Ramsgate makes it part of the logistics network that connects Kent with mainland Europe. Broadstairs’ location also supports some elements of the regional transport and logistics industry, especially in goods distribution across the southeast of England.
The ground conditions in Broadstairs are crucial determining the feasibility, cost, and method of directional drilling. Broadstairs and the surrounding areas of Thanet are mainly composed of sedimentary rocks, including chalk, sandstone, and clay deposits. These rock types can vary significantly in their hardness and composition, which can influence drilling conditions. Chalk is common in many parts of Kent and tends to be soft and porous, but it can also vary in density, which may make drilling easier or harder depending on the specific area. Clay layers are common in coastal areas and may be present in the area, often creating challenges due to their tendency to expand when wet or to become slippery, which could affect the stability of the borehole during drilling. Sandstone or siltstone could also be present, depending on the local geology, potentially presenting varying levels of resistance to drilling.
Given Broadstairs’ coastal location, the water table is quite high, particularly near the beaches and coastline. Directional drilling may need to adjust for a higher water table, which could require more advanced measures for managing groundwater. Broadstairs is subject to coastal erosion, which is an important factor to consider when drilling near the coastline. The erosion process can lead to soft, loose soils near the shore, which might complicate the ability to keep the borehole stable.
Being a coastal town, environmental regulations in Broadstairs are strict, especially around protected areas like beaches, cliffs, and local wildlife habitats. Any directional drilling project needs to adhere to regulations. Broadstairs, as a small town with an established urban infrastructure, including roads, residential areas, and public buildings. Sewer lines, water pipes, and telecommunications cables need to be accurately mapped and avoided during the drilling process.
The coastal environment may be affected by tidal movements and occasional small seismic shifts, which can cause changes in ground conditions over time. While broad shifts in the ground aren’t a major concern in this area, understanding local conditions is crucial for drilling operations.
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 is used for the installation of underground utilities in Broadstairs, such as water pipes, sewer systems, gas pipelines, electricity cables and telecoms and broadband cables. HDD allows for the installation of these utilities under roads, railways, beaches, and other challenging terrain without disrupting the surface. For example, in Broadstairs, horizontal directional could be used to install pipes or cables under the beach or along the cliffs of Viking Bay, which would be difficult with traditional trenching methods due to the erosion risk and environmental concerns.
Broadstairs is a coastal town with beautiful beaches, and much of the town’s infrastructure run along the coastline. In this environment, HDD is useful for installing infrastructure under beaches. When utilities need to be installed beneath Viking Bay or Stone Bay, HDD can avoid disruption to the beaches or waterfront areas. horizontal directional avoids the need for large-scale excavation that could potentially harm sensitive coastal ecosystems. This is especially important for minimising the environmental impact in areas close to the sea. Since Broadstairs is a tourist destination and has environmentally sensitive areas like beaches and cliffs, HDD is a less invasive alternative for laying pipes or cables without disturbing the surface landscape. HDD can help preserve the natural environment, especially in areas with historical significance, like those related to Charles Dickens.
As Broadstairs continues to grow, horizontal directional drilling can be used for new construction projects by providing an efficient way to install utilities to new buildings without disturbing the landscape. Whether it’s a new residential area or a commercial project, horizontal directional offers a way to bring services underground without disrupting the environment or existing infrastructure.
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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