New pipe laying techniques help cut traffic disruption

03rd May 2013

New techniques for laying pipes are helping to minimise traffic disruption. Sembcorp Bournemouth Water (SBW) is using a technique, called directional drilling, for about 60 per cent of all new and replacement water mains.

It involves horizontal drilling below the road surface and means only relatively small holes are needed for the start and end of a pipe laying. Pipes laid using this method avoid the need for large open trenches in the road and pavements.

Additional benefits include less waste material from the site, much less scarring of the landscape and a faster method for laying pipes. SBW used the new technique to lay a new water main under Ashford Water in Sandleheath Road, Alderholt, earlier this year.

Roger Harrington, SBW’s Managing Director, said the system can potentially be used for pipes of more than a metre in diameter.

“We know how frustrating it is for drivers to be stuck in traffic jams when approaching roadworks. We use this method, wherever possible, to cut down the space we take up in the street with an aim to minimising travel problems for our customers and visitors to the area,” he said.

Mr Harrington added: “Decreasing waiting time for vehicles is also good for the environment and reduces emissions from engine exhausts.”