We are the first borough in London to trial a unique, new asphalt mix that can significantly reduce the carbon footprint in road resurfacing works.
The trailblazing project led by Redbridge Council, in partnership with Kenson Highways, utilised the revolutionary asphalt for road resurfacing works at Lodge Hill, in Ilford.
The asphalt mix, supplied by Tarmac, significantly lowered the carbon footprint from the road resurfacing process by incorporating a carbon negative product into the mix, called ACLA®.
Results showed that using ACLA®, Tarmac’s asphalt had reduced the project’s carbon footprint by 68%, which is equivalent to an average UK car driving 17,400 miles, or a round trip to Los Angeles for two people.
ACLA® was designed and manufactured by Earthshot Prize finalist climate tech company Low Carbon Materials (LCM). It works by capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to permanently remove it and lock it into the resurfaced road.
Typically, there are three layers of asphalt applied when resurfacing roads. For the trial ACLA® was used in the middle layer, ensuring the entire middle layer of the road was net zero, as well as significantly lowering the project's carbon footprint overall.
Steve Moore, our Corporate Director of Communities said, “Redbridge Council is proud to be the first London borough to pioneer this new trial in partnership with Kensons, Low Carbon Materials, and Tarmac. This innovative initiative not only aims to enhance infrastructure but also demonstrates our commitment to creating a cleaner and greener borough.”
David Shelley, Director for Kenson Highways, said, “Our ongoing collaboration with Redbridge aims to identify methods to reduce carbon emissions, and this initiative represents one of several efforts to decrease emissions throughout the borough. Kenson Highways is proud to have contributed to this trial and remains committed to supporting the reduction of carbon footprints in both current and future projects.”
Tim Smith, Senior Technical Manager (South East) at Tarmac added, “There has never been a more important time to explore innovative, carbon-saving solutions and materials. By collaborating with supply chain and industry partners on this project we have demonstrated what's possible in delivering greener roads. It’s crucial that the learnings from this project help to inform further decarbonisation of the road network.”
Natasha Boulding, CEO of LCM, said, “This project offers a blueprint for best-practice and a clear roadmap for dramatically reducing the environmental impact of road construction and maintenance.”
The trial is a great example of collaboration and working towards a sustainable future.
It's inspiring to see how such a longstanding operation continues to innovate and contribute to critical infrastructure. The dedication of the talented and diverse team at Tunstead is clearly pivotal in driving forward solutions that not only build and connect but also enhance our communities.