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What is

Directional Drilling

Our trenchless technology uses state-of-the-art directional drilling methods to install underground utilities with precision, speed, and minimal surface disruption. By steering pipelines and ducts beneath roads, pathways, gardens, and sensitive environments, we remove the need for open-cut trenches and significantly reduce reinstatement, mess, and downtime. Whether you’re laying water, gas, power, fibre, telecoms, or drainage infrastructure, our teams deliver accurate, efficient installs in challenging or confined locations where traditional excavation simply isn’t practical.

Contact us today to discuss how our expert directional drilling services can support your next project.

Discuss Your Project

Get a price with our online survey

Planning a trenchless installation? Our quick online survey makes it easy to get started. It captures all the key details we need to assess your project, so you receive an accurate price without the delay of a site visit. Simply tell us what you’re installing, where it’s going, and any access or ground considerations — and we’ll take it from there. Fast, straightforward, and designed to get your project moving.

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Directional Drilling

Specialists

Fast, clean, and accurate underground installs — with no surface disruption. Our directional drilling service is ideal for installing pipes, cables, and ducts beneath roads, paths, and buildings. It’s a no-dig method that keeps the surface intact, reduces reinstatement costs, and speeds up delivery on-site.

Minimal Disruption

Install underground utilities without digging trenches or closing roads.

Accurate & Efficient

Precision boring guided by tracking systems for pinpoint installations.

Built for Complex Sites

Ideal for projects under railways, rivers, highways, and sensitive areas.

Cost-Effective Results

Less reinstatement, fewer delays, and a cleaner job from start to finish.

Directional Drilling Specialists

Our Comprehensive

Directional Drilling Process

1. Surveying

We begin with a site visit to meet the customer, discuss requirements, assess the ground conditions and agree on a practical route. From this, we prepare an outline proposal and provide a clear cost for the work.

2. Planning

Back in the office, we create a detailed bore plan for our on-site operators to follow. This includes organising the equipment, setting out the logistics, and ensuring that drilling fluid management is properly accounted for.

3. Drilling

Our team arrives on site ready to carry out the work, following the bore plan step by step. Using specialist machinery, we complete the drilling efficiently while keeping disruption and impact to a minimum.

4. Completion

Once the pilot bore is complete, we either enlarge the hole with reaming to fit larger pipes or directly install the pipe or cable. Finally, we reinstate entry and exit pits, safely manage any drilling fluids, and hand back a tidy, finished site.

Case Studies

Trenchless Technology is one of the most efficient methods for installing pipes and ducts.

Speak to our specialists today.

Talk to an Expert

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)