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Contact info

Enquiries: info@coatesgroupuk.com
Phone number: 01452 447013

No1 Business Centre
Alvin Street
Gloucester, GL1 3EJ

Coates Group

Ready to plan a fast, low-disruption installation? Get in touch with our team today for a quick quote or site visit. We specialise in horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and deliver clean, precise trenchless installs for water, gas and sewer pipelines, telecoms ducts, fibre and power cables, and drainage systems — all with minimal surface impact and disruption. From surveying and permits through to drilling, installation and reinstatement, we handle the full process end-to-end using advanced tracking technology to keep projects safe, accurate, and on schedule.

General Enquiries Form

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Questions?

We’ve got answers.

Here you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about our directional drilling services — from how the process works to where it’s best used. If you’re planning a utilities or infrastructure project and want clarity on timelines, disruption, or suitability for your site, these FAQs should help you understand what to expect and why directional drilling is often the smartest approach.

Directional drilling, also known as Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), is a trenchless method used to install underground services like ducting, pipes, cables, and conduits without digging long open trenches. It’s commonly used for work under roads, driveways, rail lines, rivers, and built-up areas.

Directional drilling is suitable for installing a wide range of utilities, including:

  • Fibre optic and telecoms ducting
  • Electrical cables and power infrastructure
  • Gas and water pipes
  • Drainage and stormwater lines
  • Sub-duct and multi-way duct installations

It’s a popular choice where surface disruption needs to be kept to a minimum.

Directional drilling offers several major benefits over traditional trenching:

  • Minimal disruption to roads, footpaths, gardens, and landscaping
  • Faster installation in many situations
  • Reduced reinstatement and repair costs
  • Safer working environment with less open excavation
  • Ideal for busy or restricted-access areas

It’s especially useful for projects where traffic management or surface restoration would be costly.

This depends on the ground conditions, utilities present, and the size of the service being installed. Many HDD projects range from a few metres up to several hundred metres in length. Depth can vary too — often anywhere from 1–15 metres, with deeper installations possible when required.

A site survey helps confirm the best drilling path and depth.

Yes — directional drilling is widely used in built-up areas, and safe installation is achieved through:

  • Utility surveys (records + site scanning)
  • Trial holes / potholing where needed
  • Careful planning of drill depth and alignment
  • Experienced operators and suitable drilling equipment

That said, like any excavation activity, accuracy depends on the quality of the utility information available and proper site procedures.

To provide an accurate quote, we’ll usually ask for:

  • Location and access details
  • Estimated drilling length and depth
  • Type and size of service to be installed (duct, pipe, cable)
  • Ground conditions (if known)
  • Utility drawings / site plans (if available)
  • Any special constraints (roads, rail, waterways, live environments)