Trenchless technology enabling Horizontal Drilling underground, with the ability to steer to avoid obstacles in the ground.
EPS Trenchless Installations advocates this revolutionary approach, offering a range of innovative solutions that remove the need for disruptive excavations. By leveraging state-of-the-art techniques such as Moling and Directional Drilling, EPS Trenchless Installations delivers efficient and cost-effective alternatives for laying and repairing underground utilities.
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
Select your installation type and pinpoint your exact start and end locations on our interactive map to get started!
Saffron Walden is a picturesque market town located in the Uttlesford district of Essex. Known for its rich history, charming architecture, and proximity to beautiful countryside, Saffron Walden is a popular destination for residents and visitors. The town is steeped in history and offers a mix of medieval, Tudor, and Georgian influences. The remains of Saffron Walden Castle are another key historical feature of the town. Originally built in the 11th century, the castle was established after the Norman Conquest of England. Today, only the earthworks of the motte and bailey castle remain, but it provides a beautiful park and open space for visitors. Saffron Walden is about 12 miles south of Cambridge and 43 miles northeast of London. It benefits from a rural setting while remaining well-connected to major cities. The town is surrounded by scenic countryside, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Saffron Walden’s town centre has retained much of its historic charm, with narrow streets, cobbled walkways, and a mix of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants. The Market Place hosts a regular market, which is a central point for the town’s activities. Visitors can enjoy local produce, antiques, and crafts while exploring the town. Saffron Walden Museum, is one of the oldest in the country and houses a variety of exhibits covering local history, archaeology, and natural history. It provides insights into the town’s past, including its Roman and medieval heritage.Bridge End Gardens are a hidden gem, offering a peaceful retreat with beautiful flower displays, ornamental ponds, and a maze.
Retail in Saffron Walden is largely based on local independent shops, boutiques, cafes, and artisanal goods. The town is known for its charming atmosphere, with a mix of modern shops and traditional businesses. While saffron is no longer widely cultivated, Saffron Walden still sits in an agricultural region. The surrounding rural areas are used for farming, particularly growing crops like cereals, vegetables, and fruit. There are also some dairy farms and small-scale food producers. Saffron Walden is a popular commuter town for those working in London and Cambridge, with good rail links and road access to both cities. Many professionals choose to live in Saffron Walden for its peaceful rural setting while enjoying convenient access to larger towns. Many small businesses and startups are based in Saffron Walden, often in fields such as consultancy, creative industries, and technology. The town’s proximity to Cambridge, a tech and innovation centre, means there is a growing network of entrepreneurial activity in the region.
Saffron Walden is well-connected by road, with the M11 motorway providing quick access to London and Cambridge. The town has a bus network that links it to neighbouring towns and villages. While the town doesn’t have its own railway station, nearby stations such as Audley End and Saffron Walden Parkway offer train services to London and Cambridge.
Ground conditions in Saffron Walden, can vary. For directional drilling, understanding the ground conditions is essential as they directly influence the equipment, drilling methods, and potential challenges faced during drilling activities. Saffron Walden is situated on a mix of geological formations, including areas with clay, sand, and gravel deposits. These formations can significantly affect the ease of drilling. Areas with significant clay content can be challenging for directional drilling because clay can be prone to swelling and shrinkage depending on moisture levels. Additionally, clay may cause borehole collapse or make it difficult to maintain the required direction of the borehole. Sandy and gravelly soils are often more stable and easier to drill through, but they can be more prone to erosion and require more careful management of drilling fluids.Much of the region, including parts of Saffron Walden, is made up of glacial till (unsorted sediment left by glaciers), which can contain a mix of small and large particles. This can lead to highly variable ground conditions and potentially difficult drilling environments. In some areas of Saffron Walden, the depth to solid bedrock (such as limestone, chalk, or sandstone) can vary. Harder rocks can make directional drilling more difficult and require more powerful drilling equipment. These hard layers may also increase costs and drilling time as more specialised tools.
Groundwater can be a significant factor in Saffron Walden, particularly in low-lying areas or near river valleys. High groundwater levels may result in challenges with flooding, causing boreholes to collapse or become unstable. Managing groundwater may require additional techniques, where groundwater is pumped out of the borehole to maintain stability during drilling. For some parts of the town, especially near river basins or wetlands, groundwater levels may fluctuate depending on the time of year, which could further complicate drilling projects.
The stability of the soil can vary across Saffron Walden, with certain areas having more compacted soils (often found in areas with long-term agricultural activity), while others may have softer, more unconsolidated soils (such as those found near rivers or floodplains). Unconsolidated soils (e.g., loose sands or silts) can pose problems for directional drilling as they may lead to difficulties in maintaining the direction of the borehole. This may require specialized equipment to stabilize the wellbore and prevent issues like collapsing boreholes or misalignment during drilling.
In the more developed parts of Saffron Walden, such as the town centre, directional drilling may be used to avoid disruptions to surface-level infrastructure like roads, buildings, and utilities. However, this may require more advanced techniques for precise monitoring and control, given the proximity of existing services. In the more rural, agricultural areas surrounding Saffron Walden, the ground conditions may be more stable, and directional drilling can be easier. However, even in these areas, challenges like groundwater and varying soil composition can affect the drilling process. In urban or areas of Saffron Walden, careful mapping of existing utilities and infrastructure is vital. Using techniques like ground-penetrating radar (GPR) or detailed utility surveys can help ensure that the drilling operation avoids damaging existing services.
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.
EPS provide underground utility installation that is fast, efficient and environmentally friendly.
Using Moling and Directional Drilling technology, 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.
Minimising the ecological footprint and damage to the environment is an essential when installing utilities and services underground. We integrate environmentally friendly practices into every aspect of our directional drilling process. From careful planning to efficient execution, we endeavour to minimise disturbance to natural habitats and reduce emissions.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):
Protected areas contain unique ecosystems, rare species and geological formations or habitats and are often protected by law.
The use of trenchless technology is a non-invasive approach which ensures the protection of areas of special conservation interest.
ROOT PROTECTION ZONES (RPZ):
Cutting or damaging tree roots threatens the health and stability of trees, potentially resulting in decline or even death. HDD drilling provides a non-invasive approach that is carefully planned to define a precise path that avoids tree roots. This significantly reduces the risk of root damage in these specialised zones.
ANCIENT WOODLANDS:
This type of conservation area provides a specialist approach, and directional drilling provides the ability to accurately determine subterranean trajectories, allowing successful installation without affecting the ground cover, damaging tree roots, or disturbing habitats.
CARBON FOOTPRINT:
Reducing our carbon footprint is at the forefront of our operations. Traditional excavation often involves extensive earth removal and high fuel usage due to heavy equipment and machinery. However, our No-Dig techniques use far less machinery and provide minimal disruption to the environment. This in turn reduce our environmental impact.
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.
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