As part of the Anglian Water framework it is important that development in trenchless works increases including the use of new products, equipment and development of existing services. The extensive use of trenchless methods reduces disruption, increases productivity due to its high efficiency, and reduces Co2 outputs into the environment.
Claret Engineering have been carrying out infiltration works since the start of the new AMP 8 period.
Having a number of schemes to complete in the first few months of the period has meant that new faster more reliable methods have been adopted.
Bluelight Lining Ltd has already been adopted by two of the existing partners and so it was a natural move for Claret to take Bluelight Lining on board.
It was part of the requirement to utilise approved products and Bluelight has, since its launch in the UK in 2018 already acheived WRC certification for both the curing system and the materials, as well as having the DIBt certification. These certificates demonstrate the high quality, and consistency of the entire Bluelight concept.
Utilising high output LED lights working in the light wavelength of 450Nm rather than the UV light spectrum enables materials to be cured faster and more efficiently than other systems. Pairing the curing system with dedicated products designed specifically for use with Bluelight reduces compatibility issues, with the ability to cure both the PAA-F liner (felt inversion) and PAA-GF liner (Glass reinforced) in a size range of DN70 – DN600 and in lengths of up to 125m+ the Bluelight system is both versatile and highly reliable.
The use of specifically manufactured resins with Bluelights patented photo initiators the felt liners utilise a Styrene free and odour free, Vinylester resin and the PAA-GF liners can be impregnated with either the Styrene free resins or a Styrene containing Polyester resin depending on the site requirements.
The use of standard products manufactured specifically for Bluelight enables consistency, and reliability of the curing process to be extremely high, and the size range includes diameter change liners, varying thicknesses and the a long shelf life of the pre impregnated products means that carbon emissions are reduced even further, by reducing the need for onsite impregnation, and multiple shipments to be made when all materials for the jobsite can be delivered in a single shipment.
Bluelight has been used extensively in the field for more than 19 years continually developing throughout this time to what it is now, with the new generation curing system, and to now include 5 individual curing heads, and 4 varying lengths of curing baskets.
The system is capable of negotiating multiple 90° bends, install from a single access point if required when using the PAA-F liners, overcome diameter changes, as well as being suitable for rehabilitating defects such as infiltration, broken pipes, fractures, holes and for use in varying depths of pipes.
Claret Engineering Ltd came to Bluelight Lining Ltd, to discuss the possibility of hiring a system short term prior to purchasing their own system. Because Bluelight Lining Ltd were already looking into the hire market this seemed a perfect opportunity to test the waters. Thriplow, Cambridgeshire Infiltration Scheme.
Having already had a close working relationship with Claret the 1st project was discussed and a plan put into place. Training would be conducted on site so the works could continue to progress without the need to conduct training on a separate occasion, which can be expensive and disruptive.
With a UK base in Northampton all felt inversion materials are impregnated using high specification equipment, all information is recorded for the impregnation process, meaning that a full record is kept from initial production in Denmark right through to the curing process out in the field. This means that a full quality control process is achieved and a record of every liner installed is kept in the works file, each and every liner that leaves the purpose built facility is the same high quality as the last.
The equipment was collected along with the materials and transported to site in a 3.5t vehicle with the materials on a trailer, this allowed for fast efficient liner usage whilst limiting the equipment movements on site.
Once on site the first liner was installed on the Monday afternoon as a short fast installation to enable the onsite crew to become familiar with the materials, and setting up of the equipment. The second day allowed for 4 individual installations to be carried out, totalling more than 100m in length, using the Krasotech inversion drum, inversion socks and Bluelight large curing light head all within a single shift of 8 hours on site.
On average 3 liners were installed each day with an approximate total length of 100m. The total number of installs combined with the lengths meant that only 2 further installs were required to complete the lining portion of the works. This far exceeded the expectations of both site crews and project management teams, and meant that the entire project was completed in less than half the projected time allowable. Not only was this a saving for the cleaning and flow control portions of the project but also reduced traffic management requirements, on site staff, and more importantly the disruption felt by the locals residents.
Learning new skills, as well as picking up new tips and tricks to install efficiently and reliably is testament to the training staff, the installation teams on site as well as the Bluelight equipment and materials. Curing speeds of up to 60m/hr, very low installation pressures, minimal equipment on site, and the small site footprint meant that the entire project worked incredibly efficiently, and the continued support of the local residents who were often complimenting the crews on their professionalism on site, proves that the correct decision was made to adopt the Bluelight system as the lining method of choice.
Further development and certification of the materials, as well as increasing the product range and size capabilities of Bluelight keeps the system at the forefront of the CIPP market. Being the leading technology in Europe and the USA, the UK is fast becoming the next country to lead the way in rehabilitating underground assets using Bluelight equipment.
Claret Civil Engineering Ltd and Bluelight Lining Ltd are proud to collaborate on the first of multiple projects, and if this high level of support continues, additional systems to the 3 already working on the Anglian Water frameworks will increase over the coming months.
This case study appeared in Issue 329 of Drain Trader magazine, September 2025. You can view it here.