Client Case Study
EPS Trenchless Installations and partners Elite Utility Service Ltd - Horizontal Directional Drilling in Cheshire
Project Name
Glazebury River Crossings
Client
Private Utility Contractor / ENWL
Sector
Residential Housing Development, Public Utilities
Location
Glazebury, Warrington, Cheshire
Duration
3 Weeks
Distance
300 Linear Metres
Pipe Size & Material
3 x 180mm (Trefoil) SDR11 RED – Emtelle Ducting (Class 1)
Crossings & Obstructions
2 River Crossings, Highway, Council-Owned Land, Private Driveways
Ground Conditions
Clays, Mudstone, Mixed
Technology Used
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) – Vermeer 24×40 Drilling Rig
EPS Trenchless Installations and their partners Elite Utility Services were commissioned to deliver 300 linear metres of trefoil electric ducting using trenchless drilling technology, specifically HDD boring. The installation was required for a residential development in Glazebury that needed an upgraded electrical feed via adoptable standards. Our team completed the works under a Section 50 license while maintaining full accessibility to a narrow lane used daily by residents, farms, and operating businesses.
Due to the environmental sensitivity of the two river crossings, an FRA3 Exemption Certificate was required and successfully approved by the Environment Agency (EA), ensuring regulatory compliance and responsible installation. The project demanded precision, innovation, and minimal disruption—hallmarks of our directional boring services.
“EPS and Elite made what seemed a difficult job look easy. Their HDD team worked around sensitive access issues and delivered exactly what we needed, on time and without fuss. The use of accurate systems and their attention to stress limits ensured a safe and efficient installation.”
The primary goal was to install adoptable 180mm electric ducts beneath sensitive and inaccessible terrain—without open cut trenches. Safety, efficiency, and zero surface disruption were central to the project’s success. The trenchless drilling method was chosen for its ability to minimize environmental impact and reduce directional boring costs compared to traditional excavation techniques.
Key Challenges:
EPS Trenchless Installations took full responsibility for all groundwork activities on this project, ensuring a seamless and efficient operation from start to finish. Our team professionally managed the preparation phase, including the precise excavation of entry and exit pits, essential for the accurate alignment of underground drilling and completion of the installation. By handling the groundwork internally, we maintained complete control over quality, safety, and timelines, guaranteeing that every aspect of the site preparation met the highest standards of performance and compliance.
Narrow Access Lane
The only available route was a single-lane road shared by farms, private homes, and commercial units. Full road closures were not an option.
River Crossings
Two separate rivers had to be crossed using HDD boring, requiring accurate bore path alignment and FRA3 Exemption approval from the Environment Agency. This involved careful planning of shore approaches and depths of cover.
Mixed Ground Conditions
Varying soil types—including clay and mudstone—demanded adaptive drilling methods and consideration of subsurface conditions. Our team had to account for potential poor rock quality and adjust the drilling process accordingly.
EPS conducted full pre-drill investigations including GPR, utility stat surveys, GI reports, and submission of FRA3 documentation to the Environment Agency. Approval was granted prior to works commencement, ensuring compliance with trenchless construction regulations. This thorough preparation was crucial for properly locating existing underground utilities and planning safe work execution. A comprehensive method statement was developed to guide the entire HDD drilling process.
EPS conducted full pre-drill investigations including GPR, utility stat surveys, GI reports, and submission of FRA3 documentation to the Environment Agency. Approval was granted prior to works commencement, ensuring compliance with trenchless construction regulations. This thorough preparation was crucial for properly locating existing underground utilities and planning safe work execution. A comprehensive method statement was developed to guide the entire HDD drilling process.
EPS used Teratrak bore planning software to design a precise and environmentally sensitive bore hole alignment, factoring in geological variations, clearance constraints, and third-party asset protection zones. The design was uploaded directly to the Vermeer 24×40 directional drilling rig to ensure exact steering and minimal deviation during the drilling process. Live LWD (Log While Drilling) data was continuously monitored to validate alignment, verify depth, and produce accurate as-laid records.
The bore plan was formally approved by ENWL and project stakeholders, who were particularly impressed with EPS’s robust procedural discipline and meticulous attention to technical detail. Our approach demonstrated best-in-class early contractor involvement (ECI), integrating environmental, spatial, and statutory requirements into the design from the outset.
This level of due diligence ensured the solution was not only constructible and safe but also futureproofed against regulatory scrutiny. EPS’s rigorous planning process exemplifies how proactive HDD design and ECI reduce project risk, optimize installation performance, and build stakeholder confidence well before ground is broken.
We installed 3 x 180mm SDR11 Class 1 red Emtelle ducts, designed specifically for power. Each product pipe was butt-fused in 12-metre lengths with internal de-beading for smooth cable pulling. Fused towing heads were securely installed to ensure safe and controlled pullback. The ducts were banded together at 2-metre intervals, allowing the trefoil arrangement to maintain its shape and integrity as it passed through the final 500mm outer diameter enlarged hole. An external QA contractor verified all welds and assembly to ensure compliance and performance, adhering to strict quality control measures for HDD pipe installation.
One of the key challenges was maintaining uninterrupted access along a narrow single-track lane used by residents, farms, and businesses. To overcome this, EPS strategically positioned the drilling equipment in designated passing bays and wider verges, ensuring traffic could continue to flow safely.
Careful coordination of plant movement and equipment deliveries was essential to prevent blockages in congested areas. All activities were fully compliant with Streetworks regulations, and during a scheduled site visit, the local council commended EPS and its partners for their considerate planning and professional execution.
Our experienced machine operator utilized state-of-the-art drilling equipment equipped with an advanced drilling head and housing to navigate through the varying ground conditions, including soft ground and more challenging strata. The drill stem was guided using our DCI Falcon F5 system, which provided real-time electromagnetic signals and temperature data to ensure accurate steering and maintain project-specific constraints.
The HDD drilling process involved the use of a viscous drilling fluid, typically a mixture of water and bentonite clay, to facilitate the bore enlargement and stabilize the newly reamed paths. This drilling fluid also helped to cool the drill bit and remove cuttings from the borehole. Once the pilot hole operations were complete, a back reamer was employed to create a sufficient pipe diameter for the product pipe installation. This process was carefully monitored using a walkover guidance system to prevent any unguided drilling that could potentially damage existing utilities in the vicinity.
Throughout the drilling operation, our team paid close attention to the axial load on the drill rods and the performance requirements of the mud motor to ensure optimal drilling efficiency and minimize the risk of ground movement.
The project was delivered seamlessly—without any service interruptions, reinstatement issues, or delays. The client was extremely satisfied with the outcome and praised the minimal ground surface disruption and professional handling of site constraints. Our trenchless method proved to be cost-effective, with directional boring costs significantly lower than traditional open-cut techniques for this short road crossing and river crossing project.
EPS Trenchless Installations continues to set the standard for utility installations in sensitive and complex environments. From river crossings to live highways, we deliver trenchless excellence with minimal disruption. Our collaborative approach, EA-compliant planning, and hands-on expertise ensure our clients receive a reliable, future-ready installation—every time.
We proudly delivered this complex project in partnership with Elite Utility Services, whose team worked in seamless coordination with EPS throughout the programme. The collaboration was professional, efficient, and positive—setting the tone for further joint success. Both companies look forward to delivering many more strategic trenchless installations together in the years ahead.
EPS Trenchless Installations provides professional horizontal directional drilling and impact moling services throughout Cheshire and beyond. Whether you’re dealing with river crossings, driveways, highways, or restricted access, we’ve got you covered. Our trenchless drilling methods offer significant advantages over conventional trenching, especially for short road crossing projects and in environmentally sensitive areas.
Our expertise in trenchless techniques enables us to efficiently and precisely install a comprehensive range of underground utilities with minimal surface disruption. This includes, but is not limited to, electrical cables, water mains, gas mains, rising mains, gravity-fed sewer lines, and telecommunication cables. Whether it’s a single utility or a multi-utility installation, we have the knowledge, equipment, and experience to deliver high-quality results across all service types.
Our trenchless approach is ideal for projects in sensitive environments, congested urban areas, or sites where traditional open-cut methods are impractical or undesirable. From the entrance pit to the final exit point, our experienced team ensures seamless delivery across all utility types. We employ various trenchless technologies including pipe jacking, microtunnelling, and pipe ramming to suit different project requirements and ground conditions.
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EPS Trenchless Installations Ltd, Company number: 07739433, Registered office address: 55 Earl Street, Northampton, NN1 3AX Incorporated in England and Wales on 12 August 2011
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