Abstract: A method and apparatus for laying cable at an obstruction comprises a collapsible reel, an unwind guide and a rewinding device. The reel is removable from the laying vehicle when it reaches the obstruction and has an end flange which can be removed and radially collapsible surface segments which allow the inner end of the cable to be found and withdrawn, passed through an excavation under the obstruction and rewound onto a new reel. In one arrangement, the rewind device is arranged to introduce a twist into the cable in a direction opposite to that inserted by the unwinding. In this case the rewind device includes an arm rotatable around a stationary reel with traverse means for wrapping the cable onto the reel in similar manner from that which it is withdrawn from the first reel. In a second arrangement the twisted cable is wound onto the new reel and then is withdrawn from the reel in a manner which ensures it is laid without twist.