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
Tonbridge is a market town located in Kent, in southeast England. It is situated along the River Medway, about 5 miles south of Tunbridge Wells and 30 miles southeast of London. Tonbridge is part of the Tonbridge and Malling Borough and has a history, offering a mix of historical sites, natural beauty. The town’s history is closely tied to its castle, which dates back to the 11th century and was originally built by the Normans after the conquest of England. The Tonbridge Castle is a major landmark and is one of the best-preserved examples of Norman castles in the region.
The Tonbridge Castle is a central feature of the town and one of its most famous landmarks. The original motte-and-bailey structure was built in 1066 by Richard FitzGilbert, a Norman nobleman, but much of the present-day structure is from the 13th century. The castle is located in the town centre and serves as a reminder of Tonbridge’s medieval heritage.
The town is also close to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s countryside areas, providing access to nature reserves and scenic paths, especially along the River Medway. Tonbridge is well-connected by road and rail, making it an attractive location for commuters and residents looking for access to London. Tonbridge Railway Station offers direct trains to London Charing Cross, London Cannon Street, and London Bridge, with journey times of about 30-40 minutes, making it an ideal town for commuters. The town is located near the A21 and M25, providing easy access to London and other towns in Kent.
The surrounding area including he Medway Valley provides stunning views, and the area around Tonbridge which is full of charming villages, historic landmarks, and scenic landscapes. Tonbridge is close to the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its beautiful rolling hills, ancient woodlands, and scenic trails. The town offers access to both urban amenities and the tranquility of the countryside.
When Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) in Tonbridge, the ground conditions vary based on the region’s geology, infrastructure, and environmental factors. Understanding the ground conditions is essential for planning and executing drilling projects efficiently and safely. Tonbridge is situated in the Medway Valley, with underlying geological characteristics shaped by its river systems and the surrounding Wealden and Ashdown Beds.
A large part of the geology in the Tonbridge area consists of clay and sand layers. These soils are typically softer and easier to drill through but can cause challenges if saturated with water, leading to instability in the borehole. In the upper layers, you will find Wealden Clay, which is softer but may become more challenging to drill through when it’s wet. Clay can also expand and become sticky, which may cause borehole stability issues during drilling. Further down, you may encounter chalk and limestone deposits, which are typical of the broader Kent region. These are generally harder materials but are less prone to collapse compared to loose or sandy soils.
In some parts of Tonbridge, especially near the River Medway, there may be alluvial deposits consisting of gravel, sand, and silt. These can vary in consistency and may pose a challenge. The varying soft soils and harder chalk layers in the area suggest that HDD could face alternating conditions depending on depth and location. In general, Tonbridge’s geology provides a mix of both easily drillable and more challenging ground conditions.
Tonbridge is surrounded by natural beauty, including parks, green spaces, and the nearby countryside. As a result, any HDD projects should consider the potential environmental impact: HDD helps protect parks and green areas by avoiding extensive surface digging. However, sensitive areas like Tonbridge Castle and other historical landmarks may require additional care when planning drilling routes. Projects near the River Medway must take precautions to prevent pollution, erosion, or disruption to the local ecosystem. Careful management of drilling fluids and wastewater will be essential.
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 allows for the installation of underground utilities or infrastructure without the need for traditional excavation. In Tonbridge, a historic town with a mix of urban and rural landscapes, HDD is used for various purposes that require minimal surface disruption and efficient installation of essential services.
In Tonbridge, Horizontal Directional Drilling is used for a wide range of infrastructure projects that require underground installation of utilities. Water, sewer, gas, and telecoms lines beneath roads, green spaces, and historical sites. River crossings for utility installations, particularly important due to the proximity of the River Medway. Flood and stormwater management solutions in sensitive areas near the river. Urban development projects, which need efficient and non-disruptive ways of connecting utilities to new buildings or neighbourhoods. Environmental and historical preservation, minimising disruption to important sites like Tonbridge Castle and local parks.
By using Horizontal Directional Drilling, Tonbridge continues to develop its infrastructure while maintaining the town’s aesthetic appeal, reducing the impact of construction works on daily life, and protecting its natural and historical heritage.
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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