Horizontal Directional Drilling Cambridgeshire
Horizontal Directional Drilling in Cambridgeshire is a type of underground drilling for installing utilities, such as water pipes, and electrical cables underground without the need to dig long messy trenches. This technique is especially useful in Cambridgeshire due to its wide variety of different terrain, built up areas, and other environmental considerations.
Horizontal Directional Drilling allows Elite Utility Services to drill at multiple angles and depths under the ground over long distances. Horizontal Directional Drilling avoids obstacles in the way such as roads, rivers, or buildings. This minimises disruption to the landscape and local communities. Cambridgeshire has a significant combination of rural and urban landscape, which means that Horizontal Directional Drilling is incredibly beneficial as it reduces the impact on the local infrastructure and environment.
What is Directional Drilling?
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is the technique we use to install underground utilities, such as pipes, cables, or conduits, without the need to dig long messy open trenches. Instead of traditional trenching methods, Directional Drilling creates underground pathways with minimal surface disruption that utilities like Water pipes, Electric Cables and Conduits can be installed underground.
It’s a fast, cost effective solution that is perfect for installing utilities underground where there are obstacles like roads, rivers, trees and wildlife or buildings. Horizontal Directional Drilling is one of the most cost effective methods for underground installations.
What is the
Horizontal Directional Drilling Process?
Before starting, we determine the best route for the bore, considering factors like existing infrastructure, soil conditions, and environmental impacts. Entry and exit pits are excavated from which a pilot hole is drilled, using specialist drilling equipment that is guided by a tracking system. The pilot hole follows a predetermined path.
After the pilot hole is drilled, it’s enlarged by pulling larger reamers through the hole to accommodate the size of the pipe or cable to be installed. Once the hole is the desired size, the pipe or conduit is pulled back through the hole.
From planning to execution, our experienced team focus on expert underground installations, while minimising environmental impact and maximising productivity.
Contact us now for a sustainable, cost-effective directional drilling quote







Contact us today to learn more about how Directional Drilling can benefit your project. Let us be your partner in building a better tomorrow, underground
Why Choose Elite Utility Services
for Directional Drilling?
Expertise
Our team of professionals have extensive experience in directional drilling, ensuring your project is completed to the highest standards.
Precision
Using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, we drill precise pathways for utilities, even in challenging terrains.
Minimal Disruption
With directional drilling, there's no need for large-scale excavation, minimizing disruption to your property and surrounding areas.
Versatility
Whether it's water and gas pipes, telecommunications conduits, sewer lines or electrical cables, we have the expertise to handle a variety of projects.
Environmentally Friendly
By reducing the need for extensive digging, directional drilling helps protect the environment and preserve natural landscapes.
About Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a historic and picturesque county in the East of England, known for its beautiful countryside and the famous university city of Cambridge. Cambridgeshire has a population of around 850,000 people. The county is made up of several kaylocations, including Cambridge, Peterborough, Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire, and South Cambridgeshire, with Cambridge being the largest city. Cambridgeshire’s economy is driven by a combination of traditional industries and emerging sectors.
The city is home to the world-renowned University of Cambridge, which plays a significant role in the county’s economy. The university attracts top-tier researchers, academics, and students, and the surrounding area has a strong focus on research and development in various fields. The Cambridge Science Park and Biomedical Campus are home to cutting-edge companies in life sciences, biotechnology, and medical research. The Cambridge technology cluster is one of the UK’s most significant tech hubs, specialising in fields like software development, telecommunications, electronics, and artificial intelligence.
Cambridgeshire has a large rural area, and agriculture remains an important industry. The county is known for its production of cereals, vegetables, and livestock, with farming being an integral part of the landscape. Manufacturing in Cambridgeshire includes electronics, precision engineering, and machinery. Cambridge is a leading centre for life sciences, with companies focusing on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare innovation. Cambridge itself is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors for its historic architecture, the prestigious University, museums, and the beautiful River Cam. The picturesque villages and rural areas of Cambridgeshire also draw tourists. With growth in the tech sector and housing demand, the construction industry in Cambridgeshire has been robust, with developments in residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. The proximity of Cambridge to London and good transport links also bolster development.
What is Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) used for in Cambridgeshire
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a trenchless technology used in a variety of industries, and in Cambridgeshire, it is typically used for projects that require the installation of utilities or pipelines without disturbing the surface above. HDD is particularly valuable in areas with limited space, environmentally sensitive regions, or locations where traditional open-trenching methods would be impractical or disruptive.
Horizontal Directional Drillinh is commonly used to install gas pipelines, water pipes, electric cables, and telecommunication lines under roads, rivers, and other obstacles without the need for extensive digging. In Cambridgeshire, where much of the landscape is rural or has older infrastructure, HDD offers a less disruptive alternative to traditional methods. In cities like Cambridge, which have a mix of modern and historic infrastructure, HDD can be used to install or upgrade utilities beneath existing roads and buildings without disturbing the streetscapes or causing traffic disruption. Cambridgeshire is home to a number of environmentally sensitive areas, such as nature reserves and wetlands. HDD allows for the installation of pipelines or cables through these areas without disturbing the land surface, thus helping to preserve fragile ecosystems. As the demand for faster broadband and telecommunications services increases, HDD is used to lay fibre optic cables and other telecommunications infrastructure. This is especially important for rural parts of Cambridgeshire where traditional trenching might not be feasible.
Ground conditions for directional drilling in Cambridgeshire
The ground conditions for Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) in Cambridgeshire can vary depending on the specific location, but the county generally has a mix of soil types and geological features that influence how HDD projects are planned and implemented.
Cambridgeshire has a diverse range of soils, which can include clay soils which are common in parts of Cambridgeshire. These can present challenges for HDD due to their cohesive and sticky nature. Silt is found in some areas, particularly along riverbanks and floodplains. Like clay, silt can have a tendency to clog drilling equipment, but it can also be more easily drilled than very hard materials. Sands are common in some parts of Cambridgeshire, particularly near rivers or in areas with glacial deposits. Sands are usually less challenging to drill through but can cause problems in terms of maintaining stability. Gravel deposits are found in some parts of Cambridgeshire, especially in river valleys. These can present challenges for HDD because of their varying particle sizes and the difficulty of maintaining borehole stability. However, the challenge is usually less than with very hard or compacted rock formations.
Cambridgeshire has several areas with a high water table, particularly in the Fens, a low-lying area known for its wetland and peat soils. These areas are prone to high moisture levels, which could affect the drilling process, as water can seep into the borehole, causing challenges for maintaining stability and control of the drilling mud. In Cambridge and other towns or cities, HDD may be used to avoid disrupting existing infrastructure like roads, buildings, and utility networks. The soils in these urban areas may vary, but construction materials such as tarmac, concrete, and compacted fill can pose challenges for HDD.
What can be Installed with HDD Directional Drilling?
HDD Directional Drilling for underground installations of pipes, ducts, and cables. Pipe sizes ranging from 25mm to 355mm, and distances of up to 200 metres long.
- Water Pipes
- Gas Pipes
- Drainage Pipes
- Cable Ducting
- Fibre and Telecoms Cables
- EV Charging Points






Directional Drilling Case Studies
Benefits of Directional Drilling

Limited Surface Disturbance
Directional drilling reduces the need for extensive excavation, minimizing disruption to surface environments such as landscapes, vegetation, and wildlife habitats.

Preservation of Fragile Areas
By avoiding traditional excavation, directional drilling helps protect environmentally sensitive regions like wetlands, forests, and habitats, safeguarding biodiversity and species.

Conservation of Urban Greenery
In cities, directional drilling preserves parks, green spaces, and trees by minimizing disturbance during utility installations, maintaining valuable urban green infrastructure.

Prevention of Soil Erosion
Traditional excavation can destabilize soil, leading to erosion and sediment runoff. Directional drilling minimizes soil disturbance, helping to prevent erosion and preserve soil health.

Protection of Water Quality
Directional drilling reduces the risk of water pollution by minimizing soil disturbance and sedimentation, thereby safeguarding nearby water bodies and ecosystems.

Reduced Carbon Footprint
With fewer heavy machinery and transportation needs compared to traditional methods, directional drilling helps mitigate carbon emissions and air pollution, contributing to a cleaner environment.



Utility Pipe Tracing and Surveys
As we replace services underground, we are faced with multiple dangers such as electric cables and gas pipes. Our specialist equipment locates other utilities such as these to ensure a safe comprehensive installation, avoiding other existing underground installations.
We use tracer cables to help us locate plastic pipes and drainage systems. We can determine as the depth of the other services, in order to avoid them and also locate them for our clients.
To locate and assist other companies with underground works we carry out full mapping of large areas such as estates and car parks.
Multi-Utility Installations
We utilise the same no-dig methods and equipment to install a wide range of underground services.
For example, we install water, gas, electric, data, fibre and drainage using moling and directional drilling trenchless technologies.
We also use trenching methods where trenchless methods are not viable.
We have carried out multi-utility installations for domestic customers, utility providers, commercial clients and even railway projects.







