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
Royal Tunbridge Wells, commonly known as Tunbridge Wells, is a historic town in the heart of Kent, England. It’s known for its beautiful architecture, natural surroundings, and rich history. Located about 35 miles southeast of London, it offers a balance of modern amenities, heritage, and scenic beauty, making it a popular place to live and visit.
Tunbridge Wells is nestled in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which means it benefits from lush landscapes, rolling hills, and nearby woodlands. The town itself is built on a series of hills, and this gives it a unique charm with scenic views. The town is named after the River Tun, which flows through the area and adds to its picturesque setting. The river is particularly significant in the town’s development as it was once the site of the famous wells.
One of the most famous spots in Tunbridge Wells is The Pantiles, a Georgian colonnaded shopping area. Historically, it was the site of the town’s original spa and remains a charming pedestrian area lined with cafes, shops, and galleries. Royal Victoria Place is a shopping centre that offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes, providing both a traditional and contemporary shopping experience. Tunbridge Wells has a diverse economy, with retail, services, tourism, and professional industries playing a large role. The town is home to a variety of independent shops, boutiques, and cafes, particularly in areas like The Pantiles and Tunbridge Wells Common.
Tunbridge Wells has good rail connections to London (about 45 minutes to London Charing Cross), making it a popular location for commuters who work in the capital but prefer to live in a quieter, more rural setting. The town is accessible by major roads such as the A21, providing connections to London and the Kent countryside. Tunbridge Wells is a desirable place to live, attracting a range of people, from professionals working in London to families looking for a more peaceful setting with good schools and amenities. The housing ranges from elegant Georgian and Victorian homes to modern developments.
The ground conditions in Tunbridge Wells for Horizontal Directional Drilling are influenced by the town’s location within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its varied geology. The geology of Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding region primarily consists of Wealden Clay, sandstone, and limestone layers. The Wealden Group, which includes these clays and sandstones, can present a mix of soft and hard ground conditions. Clay layers, such as Lower Greensand and Gault Clay, can be relatively soft and easy to drill through. However, they are also cohesive and may pose challenges related to the borehole’s stability if not managed correctly.
Sandstones and limestone layers may be more challenging to drill through. These rock layers are more resistant to penetration, which can result in higher wear on drilling equipment and slower progress. They may also require specialized equipment for efficient drilling.
As you go deeper in the region, you may encounter harder rocks, such as Limestone and Chalk, which can increase the difficulty of drilling operations. In general, harder rock layers are more challenging for directional drilling because they require higher torque and more robust equipment. There can also be layers of shale or siltstone, which are typically softer but can be prone to instability when drilling through them, especially when these layers are wet or exposed to groundwater.
Tunbridge Wells is located in an area that can have a high water table due to its proximity to the High Weald and the River Medway. Areas near rivers or streams, especially in low-lying regions, can experience groundwater challenges, which would need to be addressed during directional drilling. Tunbridge Wells’ history as a spa town with natural springs means that certain areas might experience spring water flowing through the soil or rock formations. These springs can make drilling more complex, particularly if drilling through porous or fractured rock, which could result in water ingress.
The town itself is an urban area with a range of infrastructure, including residential buildings, commercial properties, and roadways. HDD and other forms of directional drilling are commonly used in such areas to install utilities (water, gas, fibre optics) or to upgrade existing systems without disrupting traffic or surface activities.
There are numerous existing utilities and underground networks in Tunbridge Wells, such as water, gas, electricity, and telecommunications. HDD projects in urban areas would need to carefully map and avoid these services during drilling operations. Careful planning is required to avoid damaging existing infrastructure. Certain areas in Tunbridge Wells may have historic buildings or sensitive archaeological sites. As such, any directional drilling projects in these locations may require extra care and consideration to avoid disturbing protected or valuable structures.
Given the town’s status as a Royal Town and its location near protected areas, directional drilling projects may face specific regulatory or planning constraints. Obtaining permits and conducting environmental impact assessments might be necessary for some projects.
In Tunbridge Wells, the ground conditions for Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) will depend largely on the specific location within the town and the surrounding region. Key factors to consider include: Successful HDD projects in Tunbridge Wells require a thorough understanding of the subsurface conditions, including geological surveys and environmental considerations, to ensure that drilling is efficient, safe, and minimally disruptive. Proper planning, equipment selection, and mitigation strategies for managing water and utility risks will be essential for smooth 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.
In Dartford, Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is used for a variety of infrastructure projects, particularly for installing underground utilities and pipelines. Given Dartford’s proximity to London, HDD offers a way to carry out projects with minimal disruption to surface-level activities, which is especially important.
HDD is commonly used to install new water mains, sewage pipelines, and other underground infrastructure. This is particularly valuable in urban areas of Dartford where digging up roads and disrupting traffic would be costly and impractical.
With the growing demand for high-speed internet, HDD is frequently used to install fibre optic cables or telecoms in areas of Dartford where surface disruption would be undesirable. This is particularly relevant for providing internet access to both urban and suburban areas in Dartford.
Dartford’s proximity to the River Thames means that HDD is an ideal technique for installing utilities and pipelines beneath the river, such as water or sewage pipes, without having to disrupt the riverbed or waterway. HDD can be used to avoid excavation in sensitive water environments.
HDD is used to install utilities under busy roads or railways to avoid traffic disruptions or costly road closures. This is particularly important near major transportation routes, where excavation and construction work can cause significant disruptions.
In more eco-conscious projects, HDD can be used to install geothermal systems or other underground infrastructure intended to support green energy initiatives. This might include the installation of energy lines or environmentally friendly heating and cooling systems that require underground piping.
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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