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
Margate is a seaside town in Kent in southeastern England. It’s part of the district of Thanet and lies on the coast, making it a popular destination for tourists, especially in the summer months. Margate is approximately 15 miles north of Canterbury, and about 10 miles from Ramsgate. It is easily accessible by the A299 road, which connects Margate to the M2 motorway, providing good links to London and the rest of Kent. The A28 also runs through Margate, connecting it to other towns in the region like Broadstairs, Herne Bay and Canterbury. Margate has a population of around 60,000 people. The wider Thanet district has a population of about 140,000. Historically, Margate was known for its tourism and seaside resorts, with many visitors coming to enjoy its beaches and the iconic Dreamland amusement park. Today, tourism remains a key part of the local economy.
Construction and development: Due to regeneration projects in recent years, construction has played a significant role in local employment. Construction in Margate and the surrounding area has been active in recent years, largely due to ongoing regeneration and development efforts. As demand for housing in the area has increased, particularly with Londoners looking to relocate to more affordable areas, construction of new residential properties has been growing. The development of new housing estates and apartment blocks has become more prominent, with a mix of private and affordable homes being built.
Margate’s roads, public transport systems, and other infrastructure have undergone improvements to support the area’s growing population and tourist numbers. Upgrades to transport links have been made, including improvements to the A299 road and the train station to make it easier for people to travel to and from Margate. Public facilities such as new, public parks, and recreational spaces are being built to improve quality of life for residents. There is an increasing focus on sustainable construction practices. In Margate and surrounding areas, this includes the use of energy-efficient building materials, green roofs, and environmentally friendly designs for new homes and businesses. These developments often incorporate elements like solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems to make the most of renewable energy sources.
Directional drilling, or horizontal drilling, is often used for installing utilities, pipes, or cables without disturbing the surface. The success and ease of this process depend significantly on the ground conditions, so it’s important to understand the geology of the area for planning such projects. The ground conditions in Margate and the wider Thanet area generally vary based on proximity to the coast.
Margate and the surrounding areas are known to have significant deposits of clay, particularly near the coastline. Clay soils can present challenges during directional drilling because they may be cohesive, sticky, and difficult to drill through, especially when wet. However, clay can also provide stable conditions once drilled. Coastal areas like Margate may also contain sand and gravel deposits, which can make drilling easier as these materials allow for better flow rates of drilling fluids. Sands can also be a bit more challenging in terms of control, as they can be prone to collapsing during drilling, especially in areas with high groundwater or loose sand. The geology of Margate includes the Thanet Sand Formation, which is a layer of soft sandstone that underlies the region. In areas where bedrock is closer to the surface, this can present challenges for directional drilling, as sandstone can be harder to bore through compared to softer soils. The bedrock is often deeper in the more urbanized parts of the town but could come into play for longer directional drilling projects. Margate, being close to the coast, has a high-water table in some areas, especially near the beach or marshlands. This can lead to issues with groundwater ingress during drilling, requiring specialised equipment.
Margate has significant existing infrastructure, including water pipes, sewage systems, and electrical cables. These utilities could present obstacles or additional challenges when doing directional drilling. In particular, older infrastructure could be vulnerable to disruption if not properly mapped or avoided.
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.
In Margate, Horizontal Directional Drilling is likely used for a variety of purposes. HDD is commonly used to install or replace water mains and sewer lines without needing to excavate large trenches. This is especially useful in Margate, where digging up roads or the town’s historical areas could be disruptive and costly. With the need for secure and efficient delivery of natural gas, Horizontal Directional Drilling is often used to lay gas pipelines under streets, fields, or coastal areas without the need for open trenching.
As demand for high-speed internet and reliable telecommunications grows, Margate and other towns are increasingly relying on fibre optic cables for faster internet connections. HDD allows these cables to be installed underground with minimal disruption. Horizontal Directional Drilling is frequently used to install underground electricity cables, which are becoming more common to avoid the visual clutter of overhead power lines, particularly in picturesque areas like Margate’s seaside.
In places where coastal erosion is a concern, HDD can be used to install underground barriers, drainage systems, or utilities, avoiding the environmental impact of open excavation on fragile coastal landscapes. Horizontal Directional Drilling is particularly useful when utilities need to cross under roads or highways without interrupting traffic flow. In Margate, this could apply to major roads like the A299 or A28, which are critical links to other towns and London. HDD allows for these crossings to happen without large-scale road closures or disruption to the daily commute.
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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