The lowest level of carbon emissions for a resurfacing scheme without offsetting on the Strategic Road Network has thought to have been recorded in a trial on the A64.
The trial was carried out by Tarmac, a construction industry firm that specialises in sustainable building materials, and was the first of its kind on the Strategic Road Network. It took place over a 1.5-mile stretch on the eastbound carriageway of the motorway, at Junction 44 near Bramham in Leeds.
It’s thought that the project reduced carbon emissions by 75% compared to normal road maintenance schemes, saving over 260 tonnes of carbon. Of this reduction, 41.3% was achieved using low carbon raw materials, 44% from manufacturing techniques, and 14.7% from the transport of materials and the paving process.
The project utilised multiple zero emissions plant vehicles, such as electric road rollers, recycled asphalt plannings and utilised materials from a clean energy asphalt plant. The team which worked on it also involved HW Martin, Kier and Mway Comms, and was carried out over the course of a week.
Angela Halliwell, head of carbon and environmental sustainability strategy and planning at National Highways, said: “We hope this project will pave the way for industry-wide changes, resulting in significant carbon savings and improved road surfaces for drivers.
“National Highways’ carbon management system and low carbon opportunities register capture innovations like those used on this project, with the intention to make them standard procedure across the road network in future.”
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