Ground Investigation Works to Begin at Port One North

Author: Jack Payne, Team AB Services

Understanding the Infiltration Testing Taking Place This Summer

Throughout July and August 2026, specialist ground investigation teams will be carrying out infiltration testing across the proposed Port One North site.
Residents and visitors may notice small areas of activity around the site, including excavators, tractors, water bowsers, monitoring equipment and temporary stockpiles of gravel. The works form an important part of the technical surveys required to support the planning and design of the proposed development.

What is infiltration testing?

Infiltration testing helps engineers understand how quickly rainwater can soak into the ground.
This information is essential when designing sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), which are used to manage rainfall, reduce flood risk and protect local watercourses. By understanding how the ground behaves in different parts of the site, drainage systems can be designed to work effectively during both everyday rainfall and more extreme weather events.

What work will be taking place?

The investigation will involve a combination of trial pits and boreholes across different areas of the site.

Trial pits

Up to 40 trial pits will be excavated, generally to a depth of around 2 metres. These will be concentrated in the former quarry area and eastern parts of the site.
Once excavated, the pits will be fitted with monitoring equipment before being carefully backfilled with gravel to ensure they remain stable during testing.
Clean water will then be introduced into the pits using a tractor-towed water bowser. Engineers will monitor how quickly the water infiltrates into the ground, with repeat measurements often taking place over several days.

Boreholes

In addition to the trial pits, up to 30 small-diameter boreholes will be installed in the western parts of the site.
These boreholes allow engineers to investigate ground conditions at greater depths, typically between 2 and 5 metres below ground level. Water is added to the boreholes and the rate at which the water level falls is carefully measured, providing valuable information about the permeability of deeper ground layers.

What might You see on site?

During the survey period, members of the public may notice:
• Small excavators creating temporary trial pits.
• Tractors towing water bowsers.
• Surveyors and engineers undertaking monitoring activities.
• Short sections of monitoring pipework protruding from the ground.
• Temporary stockpiles of clean gravel used to safely backfill test locations.
• Small drilling rigs carrying out borehole investigations.
The locations of these activities will move around the site as the investigations progress.

Is there anything to be concerned about?

No, these are routine engineering investigations commonly undertaken as part of the planning and design process for major developments.
The works are temporary in nature and are being carried out to gather important information that will help ensure future drainage systems are designed responsibly and effectively.

Thank you for your patience

We appreciate that increased activity on site may prompt questions from local residents. These investigations are a normal part of understanding the site’s ground conditions and will help inform future planning and environmental assessments, while also ensuring that the site is fully assessed to prevent any onsite and offsite flooding.
If you have any questions about the works taking place, please contact the Port One team using the details available on our website.