Project Overview Gloucester Rugby Club required a new 50mm duct installation to connect their main stadium with a newly built training facility. The duct was essential for running data and analysis systems between the two sites. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) was chosen to navigate the complex ground conditions and avoid disruption to the club’s busy car park and surrounding facilities.Client: Gloucester Rugby Club Location: Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, UK Duration: 2 days Method: Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Length: ~50 meters Duct Installed: 50mm HDPE duct Soil Conditions: Mixed clay with embedded gravel and soft alluvium near stream bedChallenges & Solutions
- Dense Underground Services: The car park area contained multiple existing utilities, including drainage networks and live electrical cables. Utility mapping was conducted prior to drilling to establish a safe bore path.
- Stream Crossing: The proposed route crossed beneath a small stream midway through the project. The HDD method ensured no disruption to water flow and avoided the need for ecological permits linked to open trenching.
- Accuracy Requirement: With limited space in both the stadium and training ground entry/exit points, precision tracking and bore path adjustments were required throughout.
Execution Strategy
- Utility Avoidance: CAT scanning confirmed the location of sensitive services before drilling commenced.
- Controlled Bore Path: The 50mm pilot bore was steered carefully to avoid existing infrastructure, followed by a smooth pullback of the duct.
- Stream Protection: Drilling fluid volumes were closely managed, and exit points were monitored to prevent inadvertent returns into the watercourse.
Outcome The duct installation was completed successfully with no disruption to Gloucester Rugby Club’s operations. The 50m bore provided a secure and protected route for data cabling, enabling seamless connectivity between the stadium and the training facility. The HDD method allowed the works to be completed quickly, cleanly, and with minimal impact on the site’s busy environment.
