Horizontal Directional Drilling Kent

Horizontal Directional Drilling in Kent 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 Kent due to its wide variety of different terrain, built up areas, and other environmental considerations. Horizontal Directional Drilling allows contractors like 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. Kent 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.

About Kent

Kent, located in the southeastern corner of England, has a variety of towns that offer a mix of historical significance, modern amenities, and good connections by road and rail.  The urban infrastructure of these towns is generally well-developed, catering to both residents and businesses, and benefiting from excellent transport links to London and the wider region. Here’s an overview of the main towns in Kent.

Canterbury is one of Kent’s most iconic towns, famous for Canterbury Cathedral, and its rich medieval history. It’s a bustling city that combines ancient landmarks with modern conveniences. Maidstone is the county town of Kent and has evolved from a market town to a significant urban centre. It lies on the River Medway and boasts a rich history and a growing economy. Dartford is located just outside London and has seen substantial growth over the past few decades. It is known for its proximity to the capital, its transport links, and its diverse local economy. Tonbridge is a market town with a mix of rural and urban characteristics, located on the River Medway. It is known for its attractive surroundings, historical sites, and family-friendly atmosphere. Royal Tunbridge Wells, often simply called Tunbridge Wells, is a historic spa town famous for its Georgian architecture, beautiful parks, and cultural events. It serves as a regional centre for shopping and leisure. Ashford is a rapidly developing town in Kent, located in the south of the county. It has benefited from its status as a transport hub, with excellent links to London and Europe via the Eurostar train service. Folkestone is a coastal town in Kent known for its proximity to the Channel Tunnel, making it an important location for international travel and trade. It is also famous for its seafront and the creative industries that have emerged in recent years

What is
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) used for in Kent?

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is used in Kent for installing infrastructure underground without disturbing the surface. This method is particularly beneficial in Kent due to its mix of rural, urban, and coastal areas, where minimising disruption to roads, buildings, and natural landscapes is important

Kent is home to various industries and businesses that require high-speed data connections. Horizontal Directional Drilling is used to install fibre optic cables for telecommunications networks, especially in hard-to-reach or built-up areas like Dartford and Tunbridge Wells. The technique allows for cable installation under roads, rivers, and other obstacles without the need for disruptive trenching. HDD is used to install electrical power cables, including those for high-voltage networks, without the need for surface-level construction that would disrupt daily life or the natural environment. This is especially relevant in areas like Ashford and Folkestone, where new developments or infrastructure upgrades require minimal disruption.

Kent’s towns, such as Canterbury and Dover, are located near rivers and streams, where HDD can be used to drill beneath these waterways to install essential infrastructure. For example, laying pipelines or cables under the River Medway using HDD prevents the need for large-scale dredging or digging, protecting the waterway’s ecosystem. Given Kent’s proximity to major roads and railways, such as the M20 and M2 motorways, HDD is ideal for crossing beneath these routes without disrupting traffic or causing delays. This is particularly important in urban areas like Maidstone, Dartford, and Tunbridge Wells, where surface disruption would be costly and cause significant inconvenience.

Kent’s AONB (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), including parts of the High Weald and North Downs, require sensitive handling during infrastructure installation to preserve their scenic value and natural habitats. HDD is often chosen for its minimal surface impact, which helps reduce disturbance to the environment, including preserving farmland, natural reserves, and historical sites.

Ground conditions for Horizontal Directional Drilling in Kent

The ground conditions in Kent can vary widely due to the county’s diverse geology, ranging from urban areas with compacted soils to rural regions with loamy, clay, or chalk-based terrains. These varying ground conditions have an impact on the feasibility and approach to Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) in the region. Ground conditions for directional drilling in Kent vary from dense clay and chalk to loose sands and gravels, and each presents specific challenges. Proper planning, site assessment, and the right equipment are essential for successful HDD projects in Kent, ensuring minimal disruption and achieving accurate and stable installations.

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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

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

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.

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.

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Benefits of Directional Drilling

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Limited Surface Disturbance

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

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Preservation of Fragile Areas

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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