Glanville Environmental Wins Global Trenchless Technology Award

International Award Win for Glanville Environmental’s Role in Pant Sinkhole Investigation

Glanville Environmental has received international recognition for its contribution to the Pant Sinkhole investigation in South Wales, winning the Trenchless Project (Underground Detection / Site Survey) Award at the International No-Dig Auckland Awards 2026.

The award highlights the critical role the company’s Geospatial team played in supporting emergency response and recovery efforts after a significant sinkhole emerged in the village of Pant, near Merthyr Tydfil.

Glanville Environmental was recognised at the International No-Dig Auckland Awards 2026 for its work on the Pant Sinkhole investigation.

Award Recognition

The award was presented during the International No-Dig Auckland 2026 conference and exhibition, one of the trenchless technology sector’s premier global events. Judged by industry experts from the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT), the awards celebrate excellence and innovation in trenchless engineering, underground detection and infrastructure delivery.

Representing the UK, Glanville Environmental’s Pant Sinkhole investigation was recognised for its innovative use of advanced surveying, underground detection and inspection technologies to support one of the country’s most significant recent infrastructure incidents.

The UK Society for Trenchless Technology (UKSTT) accepted the award on Glanville Environmental’s behalf, with Chair Tim Sargent and UKSTT representatives collecting it during the ceremony in Auckland, New Zealand.

Responding to a Major Infrastructure Incident

In December 2024, approximately 30 homes were evacuated after a large sinkhole opened on the Nant Morlais housing estate in Pant, near Merthyr Tydfil. The incident, believed to have been caused by the collapse of an underground culvert after prolonged heavy rainfall, prompted a major response involving local authorities, emergency services, engineers and specialist contractors.

Initial reports described residents hearing rumbling and collapse beneath the estate as the ground failure developed, with concerns raised about the stability of nearby homes and infrastructure.

Against this backdrop, Glanville Environmental’s Geospatial team was mobilised to provide critical surveying, inspection and underground detection services to support the investigation.

Advanced Technology Supporting Critical Decisions

Understanding the extent of underground failures is challenging, particularly where access is restricted and conditions remain unstable.

To help engineers understand the developing situation, the team deployed a range of advanced technologies including:

• Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
• LiDAR scanning
• Utility mapping and underground detection
• 3D volumetric modelling
• Elios 3 confined-space drone inspection technology

Together, these technologies enabled rapid collection of detailed information on ground conditions, voids, and the affected culvert infrastructure without extensive intrusive investigations.

The Pant Sinkhole incident led to the evacuation of approximately 30 homes while investigators worked.

A key element of the investigation was deploying the Elios 3 confined-space inspection drone. The drone enabled detailed inspections of the damaged culvert network, capturing high-resolution imagery and data from locations that would otherwise have been unsafe or difficult for personnel to access.

The information gathered gave engineers a clearer understanding of the collapse’s causes and consequences, helping inform remediation strategies and support decision-making throughout the recovery effort.

Innovation Through Collaboration

The project demonstrated the increasing value of modern trenchless and non-invasive technologies in responding to infrastructure failures.

By combining surveying, inspection, and data-modelling techniques, Glanville Environmental delivered accurate, actionable intelligence that supported stakeholders throughout the emergency response and subsequent remediation works.

The award judges recognised the project as an example of how innovative underground detection and site survey techniques can improve safety, reduce uncertainty, and accelerate recovery on complex infrastructure projects.

Advanced drone technology allowed engineers to safely inspect inaccessible sections of the affected culvert system.

Case Study Video: https://youtu.be/yDws6nJvt44?si=BP8BQhXbMbV_TWLo

Cradle-to-Grave Capability

One of the project’s key strengths was Glanville Environmental’s ability to provide a fully integrated solution throughout the asset lifecycle.

While the award recognised the company’s expertise in underground detection, surveying and inspection, these capabilities form part of a broader service offering that enables clients to progress seamlessly from investigation to remediation and verification through a single delivery partner.

From initial utility mapping, underground detection and geospatial surveys, through CCTV inspections, drainage rehabilitation and civil engineering works, to post-completion validation and verification, Glanville Environmental can support clients at every stage of a project.

This integrated approach reduces contractor interfaces, improves communication and accountability, and provides clients with a single point of responsibility from problem identification through to project completion.

Commenting on the award, Jamie Treliving, Managing Director of Glanville Environmental, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this international recognition. The Pant Sinkhole project required rapid mobilisation, technical innovation and close collaboration to provide the critical information needed to support the investigation and recovery effort.

This award reflects our Geospatial team’s expertise and highlights the value advanced surveying and inspection technologies bring to complex infrastructure challenges. What makes this particularly significant is that these capabilities form part of a broader integrated service offering. From initial underground detection and surveying, through CCTV inspection, drainage and civil engineering works, and finally post-completion verification, we can support clients throughout the entire project lifecycle.

That ability to deliver a seamless, cradle-to-grave solution helps provide greater efficiency, accountability and value for our clients.”

Lynn Maclachlan, Associate Director- UK Society for Trenchless Technology (UKSTT), said:

“UKSTT is absolutely delighted to see one of our members recognised with this prestigious ISTT Award. We were proud to nominate this project for international recognition, and it is fantastic to see the team’s hard work, innovation and expertise celebrated on a global stage.

This achievement is a testament to the outstanding work being delivered within the UK trenchless technology industry, and we extend our warmest congratulations to everyone involved.”

The award reflects the collaborative efforts of all organisations involved in investigating and understanding the incident. By combining specialist surveying, inspection, engineering and asset management expertise, the project provided a comprehensive understanding of the underground conditions and supported the safe progression of remediation works.

Looking Ahead

Beyond the technical achievement, the project highlights the growing role of geospatial intelligence, trenchless technologies, and integrated delivery models in helping infrastructure owners understand, maintain, and rehabilitate critical assets.

While Glanville Environmental’s operational activities primarily support clients across the South West of England, its specialist Geospatial division delivers advanced surveying, underground detection and inspection services on projects throughout the UK.

The international award recognises not only the Pant investigation itself, but also the expertise, innovation, and collaborative approach that continue to support challenging infrastructure projects nationwide.