National Highways resurfacing project to reduce carbon emissions by 70%

National Highways is to trial the lowest carbon asphalt used to date on a resurfacing scheme on England’s motorways and major A roads.

image: National Highways. Donna James, Technical Director - Pavements at AtkinsRealis and Dr Nicholas Thom, Highway Engineering specialist, University of Nottingham

The trial on the A64 from Bramham to Headley Bar in Yorkshire involves using a new asphalt, tested at the University of Nottingham, which is expected to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 70%, from 321 tonnes to 96 tonnes.

National Highways has worked in partnership with engineering specialists at the University of Nottingham who have carried out tests to understand how low-carbon asphalt can affect the life of the road. These tests include wheel tracking tests, stiffness tests, and a surface wear test to ensure it is ready for drivers. The surface asphalt materials also include an anti-ageing additive that should extend the life of the road surface by three to five years, which will reduce the need for maintenance resulting in fewer road closures and less road disruption.

While focusing on trialling low-carbon asphalt, the scheme also aims to decarbonise several aspects of the project. The asphalt will be laid using a host of paving equipment, including an electric roller which will minimise noise to the surrounding area and reduce emissions. A lower carbon diesel biofuel substitute, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), will be used as an alternative power source for asphalt manufacturing plant and haulage vehicles. Solar power will keep the facilities like toilets and changing facilities running.

Director of Environmental Sustainability Stephen Elderkin said, “We’re changing the way we work to decarbonise construction on our roads, a crucial challenge of helping the UK to thrive as a low carbon economy.

“These projects will pave the way for changes that make a huge difference by protecting the environment, reducing noise and improving the roads for drivers.”

The trial is one of many projects National Highways is undertaking to achieve net zero carbon travel on England’s roads by 2050. The organisation is the first worldwide to have approved science-based net-zero targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), across the ‘Ground Transportation – Highways and Rail tracks’ sector. This validation means the National Highways’ carbon reduction plans align with the latest climate science.

National Highways is also working in partnership with the national charity the Tree Council to plant three million new trees by 2030 around the road network, improving the landscape while supporting wildlife and increasing biodiversity.