3rd UKSTT National Trenchless Conference 2026 delivers outstanding success with largest participation to date
Manufacturing Technology Centre hosts gathering of trenchless technology professionals, reinforcing the sector’s commitment to innovation and best practice.
3rd March 2026 – The 3rd UKSTT National Trenchless Conference 2026 took place at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, delivering “one of the best structured, organised conferences” in the trenchless technology sector.
The conference attracted attendance from across the trenchless industry, bringing together leading professionals, innovative companies, and organisations committed to advancing trenchless solutions. The event featured comprehensive sessions covering critical industry challenges, from demonstrating trenchless benefits to addressing standards and regulations, recruitment demands, and future opportunities.
High-Quality Sessions Drive Industry Discussion
The conference programme delivered great value through carefully tailored sessions led by industry experts. 
Attendees praised the breadth and depth of content, with participants noting the speakers’ comprehensive knowledge and expertise across all technical presentations.
Session one featured Tim Sargent, UKSTT’s Vice Chair, Martin Long from Stantec, and Iain Naismith, IKT and UKSTT’s Chair of the Technical & Education subcommittee leading discussions on trenchless design and investigation methodologies.
Session two “Repair and rehabilitation” included presentations from Eddie Rant identifying the applications of repair & rehabilitation used by Wessex Water alongside Professors Chris Rogers and Nicole Metje from Birmingham University and their aspirations for buried infrastructure.
Session three focused on renewal and new installation techniques, featuring Robbie McGoran from Joseph Gallagher Ltd, Peter Guilliatt from Volker Stevin, and Roger Wahl from TRACTO UK. These presentations demonstrated how trenchless installation methods can be applied during projects.
Session four addressed the critical need for raising trenchless technology’s profile, with Silvana Alfieri from Sewertronics and Christopher Micallef from Coventry City Council presenting strategies to increase awareness and adoption while educating the industry and bringing trenchless to new markets.
The conference finished with session five examining market challenges and opportunities, where Paul Horton from Future Water Association and Jo Parker from Watershed Associates updated everyone on the progress in the water industry & regulatory reform while discussing the challenges on overcoming the 3 hour rule & reg 31.
The exhibition area featured a number of exhibitors showcasing products and services designed to advance the trenchless sector. These were showcased throughout the event breaks, facilitating meaningful connections and demonstrating the latest technological innovations shaping the future of trenchless operations.
The event was sponsored by Joseph Gallagher Ltd, whose support contributed to the conference’s overall success while the Manufacturing Technology Centre provided an ideal venue for the conference, offering state-of-the-art facilities that enhanced networking opportunities.
Industry Professionals Praise Conference Excellence
Attendee feedback highlighted the conference’s exceptional organisation and relevance to current industry challenges. “Session Quality was really good with a wide berth of topics covered and the speakers clearly knew their topic,” commented one industry professional.
Another participant emphasised the conference’s practical value: “I thought the conference was excellent again and really relevant to the challenges and opportunities faced by the Trenchless Sector.”
The event’s continued growth was noted, with one attendee stating: “I thought this conference was the best yet. Some really good presentations.”
Advancing Industry Standards and Innovation
The 3rd UKSTT National Trenchless Conference 2026 reinforced the sector’s commitment to promoting trenchless-first thinking across infrastructure projects.
The event addressed key industry priorities including the demonstration of trenchless benefits, development of standards and regulations, recruitment strategies, awareness building, and identification of future opportunities.
The conference’s success builds upon the momentum established by previous events, continuing UKSTT’s mission to advance trenchless technology adoption and best practices across the UK infrastructure sector.
The 4th UKSTT National Trenchless Conference is anticipated to build upon this year’s success, continuing the organisation’s commitment to advancing trenchless technology across the UK infrastructure sector.
About UKSTT
The United Kingdom Society for Trenchless Technology (UKSTT) is the leading professional organisation dedicated to advancing trenchless technology adoption and best practices across the UK infrastructure sector. Through conferences, training programmes, and industry initiatives, UKSTT promotes innovation, standards development, and knowledge sharing within the trenchless technology community.
Media Contact: UKSTT Communications Email: ad***@*******rg.uk
Phone: +44 (0) 7745 781500
Website: www.ukstt.org.uk