Picote UK Ltd was thrilled to take home the UKSTT Award for Small Renovation on October 1st, 2025, celebrating an exceptional project completed in the idyllic village of Beaulieu on England’s south coast. The scheme showcased how innovation, collaboration and trenchless technology can overcome even the most demanding environmental and engineering challenges.

Beneath the tranquil Beaulieu River lay two ageing cast iron pipelines, running side by side and suffering from severe corrosion and tidal ingress. The chambers on each side of the river were over four metres deep and access was limited—particularly on the downstream bank. The repair was urgent, but the sensitive location meant that every decision had to protect the river environment. Conventional methods were quickly ruled out. Traditional slip lining would have required major excavation and heavy winching equipment which carried an unacceptable risk of contamination and disruption. The challenge called for a smarter, cleaner approach.

Having successfully completed previous tidal projects, Picote UK Ltd proposed its Flexi-Sliplining system as the ideal alternative. After discussions with Cappagh Browne Utilities Ltd who were in consultation with Southern Water, the team agreed that this innovative method offered the best balance of safety, efficiency and long-term durability. The plan involved installing two new Flexi-Sliplining pipes inside the existing DN225 cast iron pipelines, spanning 160 metres beneath the river. The host pipes were fragile and riddled with infiltration points but the flexibility and strength of the lined pipe made rehabilitation possible without excavation.

What made this project particularly innovative was the deployment of the Flexi-Sliplining system in a highly constrained, sub-river installation. The flexible, multi-layered PE-based liner adapted smoothly to the internal geometry without the need for annular grouting or curing. Its smooth bore improved hydraulic efficiency, while protecting the host pipe from further corrosion. This innovative technology allowed fast, safe, and reliable installation from existing chambers—a critical benefit in a location that offered no room for excavation or traditional lining methods. No Sliplining trench was required, owing to the flexible installation process.