In pipe bursting, a new pipe is pushed through a damaged or unreliable old pipe, ‘bursting’ the old infrastructure into the surrounding ground and replacing it with new, without the need for digging.
AMP8 calls for more use of trenchless techniques, and Severn Trent, with millions of customers to serve, had planned to adopt the technique. The water company turned to Tracto, who supplied four Grundoburst 400G pipe bursting units.
The company selected the units for their flexibility and ability to repair pipes from 2in to 10in. The units feature unique ladder rods, which allow them to tackle bends with a radius up to 35mm.
A total of 150 operators were trained at Tracto throughout 2025 and bursting operator, Arnie Bailey, a highly qualified trainer, demonstrator and trenchless consultant has also since supported the teams on site to help with the initial bursts.
At Bagnall in Stoke on Trent, one of the new machines has completed 950m of pipe renewal services along a road with aging infrastructure and severe burst pipe issues. Lawrence Twiddy, Severn Trent network construction manager for Staffordshire, attended the machine training and also arranged for practical support on the first burst.
“Arnie was very knowledgeable and competent and was really helpful in assisting us with the first burst in Bagnall,” Twiddy says. “The team has successfully burst the whole job now and are extremely happy with the kit. This technique and rig will be a revelation for us over the coming four years left in AMP8.”
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