District Heating & Heat Network Civils Contractor
Heartland Pipelines provides the civils for district heating and heat network schemes – from long runs of trench for pre-insulated pipe to the large, supported excavations needed to repair leaks on live networks. We work as a civils partner to heat network main contractors, so your mechanical and welding teams can concentrate on the pipework.
Our site teams are led by SMSTS-qualified site managers, with appointed Temporary Works Coordinators (TWCs) planning and checking every excavation support scheme. We plan the works in with you, raise the street works permits, arrange traffic management through our sister company NTR Plant Services and reinstate to the highway authority’s specification – so one civils supplier covers the whole highway side of the job.
Based in Telford, we support schemes across the Midlands and further afield. We are an STW-approved Principal Contractor, certified to UKAS-accredited ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, Achilles UVDB Silver Plus registered, and winners of the Sustainability Award at the 2026 Water Industry Awards.
Why heat network contractors use Heartland for civils
Competent supervision
Sites run by SMSTS-qualified managers under an ISO 45001 safety management system, with daily briefings and permits to dig before any excavation starts.
Temporary works under control
Appointed TWCs manage design briefs, checks and permits to load in line with BS 5975 for every support scheme.
The highway side handled
Works planned in, street works permits raised (and Section 50 licences where required), Chapter 8 traffic management and reinstatement to the SROH.
Safe digging around live services
Service records checked and locations scanned before we break ground, with vacuum excavation in congested footways and carriageways.
Evidence you can rely on
Our POWR (Proof of Work Recorder) app logs timestamped photos of every set-out, excavation and reinstatement.
Our own teams and plant
In-house civils gangs, plant and traffic management, so fewer interfaces for your site team and fewer delays waiting on others.
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Heat network trenching
Trench excavated to line and level for pre-insulated flow and return pipe, with bedding, surround, warning tape and backfill to the pipe manufacturer’s specification.
Joint bays and welding pits
Widened, supported joint bays dug ahead of the pipe so your welders and jointers have safe, dry working room.
Leak repair excavations
Large excavations over leaks on existing networks, supported and dewatered so the pipe can be exposed and repaired safely.
Temporary works coordination
Appointed TWCs manage design briefs, checks and permits to load and dig for every support scheme, in line with BS 5975.
Deep excavation and trench support
Trench boxes, sheet piling and shoring for deep or unstable ground, with pumping and dewatering where groundwater is present.
Safe digging around live services
Service records checked and locations scanned before we break ground, with vacuum excavation where congested utilities make machine digging unsafe.
Street works permits and licences
Works planned in with the highway authority, street works permits raised, and Section 50 licences where required.
Traffic management
Chapter 8 signing and guarding, multiphase lights, closures and diversions delivered in-house by our sister company NTR Plant Services.
Reinstatement to SROH
Interim and permanent reinstatement of carriageways, footways and verges to the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways.
SMSTS-led site teams
Sites run by SMSTS-qualified managers, with daily briefings, permits to dig and a single point of contact for your site team.
Photographic audit trail
Our POWR app records timestamped photos of every set-out, excavation and reinstatement – clear evidence for clients and highway authorities.
Duct and sleeve crossings
Where open-cut isn’t practical, our directional drilling team can install ducts and sleeves beneath roads, rail and watercourses.
Project gallery
Leak repair excavations on live heat networks
When a district heating network develops a leak, the excavation is often the biggest risk in the repair. The pit has to be large enough for a welder to work all the way around the pipe, the ground is frequently saturated, and the pipe may be carrying hot water. We plan every repair dig as temporary works from the outset.
Plan and permit
We take the leak location from your survey, check service records, agree isolation and access with you and the network operator, and put permits and traffic management in place.
Excavate and support
The pit is dug to a size agreed with your welding team, supported to the TWC-approved design and kept dry with pumping.
Hand over safely
The excavation is inspected and handed over with safe access and egress for your repair team.
Backfill and reinstate
Once the repair is complete, we backfill, compact and reinstate to the SROH, with every stage recorded on POWR.
We support planned repair programmes and reactive work. Tell us about your network and we will discuss how we can help.
Let’s talk about your scheme…
Tell us about your heat network project or repair programme – location, programme and scope – and one of our team will be in touch shortly. Or call 01952 260505.
Related services
Our district heating civils are backed by our wider civils, traffic management, vacuum excavation, reinstatement and directional drilling teams – all from one contractor. See the areas we cover.
Need civils support on a heat network? Contact our team or call 01952 260505 to discuss your scheme.
