Newfield to Broadmuir Trunk Main

Project Details:

The Newfield to Broadmuir Trunk Main project marked a major milestone for AG Wilson Limited as the largest project delivered by the company to date. Working in partnership with Caledonia Water Alliance, AG Wilson successfully delivered the full 23.8km replacement trunk main between Peterhead and Ellon, providing a more resilient and reliable water supply network for communities across Aberdeenshire.

Delivered across a diverse route encompassing agricultural land, watercourses, major transport corridors and the urban environment of Ellon, the project required innovative engineering solutions, extensive stakeholder engagement and careful environmental management.

The project’s subsequent shortlisting as a finalist in the 2026 CEF NI Construction Awards provides welcome recognition of the capability, expertise and collaborative approach demonstrated throughout its delivery.

A Complex Route

Phase 2 included six trenchless crossings, 17 smaller watercourse crossings, 15 open-cut road crossings and a substantial section of in-road construction within Ellon. The route also crossed critical third-party oil and gas infrastructure, requiring extensive planning, coordination and assurance before work could proceed.

Delivery required close collaboration with Caledonia Water Alliance, Scottish Water, infrastructure owners, Aberdeenshire Council, landowners, residents, businesses and other local stakeholders. The team carefully coordinated access, road closures and multiple work fronts while maintaining progress across the project.

Engineering Through Major Constraints

Horizontal directional drilling was used to install sections of the trunk main beneath the A90, the Water of Cruden and critical oil and gas pipelines. This trenchless approach allowed the team to negotiate major constraints while reducing surface disruption.

Ground conditions varied considerably across the route, including challenging rock conditions encountered during several crossings. Each location required a controlled solution informed by the individual ground, access and third-party asset constraints.

The urban section in Ellon presented a different set of challenges. The works passed through an area containing residential properties, businesses, bus routes and numerous existing services. Construction was divided into manageable sections, enabling access to be maintained and disruption to be reduced while the pipeline and associated infrastructure were installed.

Working Responsibly in a Sensitive Environment

The route passed through farmland, watercourses and environmentally sensitive areas, requiring a delivery approach that balanced construction progress with environmental protection.

When archaeological remains were encountered during the works, the pipeline alignment was revised in consultation with specialists to preserve the site while allowing construction to continue. Ecological constraints were also carefully managed throughout the project, with working methods and programme activities adapted as necessary to protect sensitive habitats.

This proactive approach enabled the project to be delivered safely and efficiently while respecting the local environment and heritage of the area.

Delivered Ahead of Programme

Early planning, collaborative working and the effective deployment of AG Wilson's people, plant and resources were key to the success of the project.

Working in partnership with Caledonia Water Alliance and Scottish Water, the team successfully coordinated multiple work fronts across the route while managing significant engineering, environmental and stakeholder constraints.

This proactive approach resulted in pipeline installation being completed five months ahead of programme, with the in-road works within Ellon also delivered significantly ahead of schedule, reducing disruption to local communities while maintaining momentum across the wider project.

AG Wilson would like to thank Caledonia Water Alliance, Scottish Water and our valued supply chain partners for their collaboration throughout the successful delivery of the Newfield to Broadmuir Trunk Main project.