Near net zero road resurfacing project announced

This October, we'll carry out the lowest carbon road resurfacing scheme we've ever attempted on our network - on the A64 in Yorkshire

By using innovative materials and working methods throughout the project, we estimate we can reduce the carbon footprint for this scheme's construction by around 70%.

Sharing learnings

The journey to this project has been informed by countless innovations across the highway industry.

This included our low carbon asphalt trials coordinated from a research lab at the University of Nottingham.

Testing the properties of bitumen at different temperatures. Bitumen is the glue that sticks the asphalt together in road surfacing).

Donna James (Technical Director - Pavements, Atkins) and Dr Nicholas Thom (Highway Engineering specialist) demonstrate how bitumen testing works.

We'll widely share learnings from this project to help tackle the sector-wide challenge of decarbonisation.

Collaboration with local authorities, contractors, and academia is crucial:

to leverage expertise
share experiences
collectively adopt new approaches aimed at achieving net zero carbon emissions

Innovative solutions

We'll develop the scheme using a variety of innovative solutions that we are expecting to deliver carbon savings. These include lower carbon materials, equipment and working methods.

For example:

Enhanced road surface materials

Using materials with lower carbon content.

Longer-lasting road markings

Using extended life asphalt and durable road marking materials to reduce future maintenance needs and associated carbon emissions.

Electric rollers

Minimising noise and tailpipe emissions.

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel

Using HVO for transport vehicles, and other non-electric asphalt laying equipment.

Echelon paving method

By laying asphalt across the entire road surface we can:

minimise joints
extend the road’s lifespan
reduce maintenance-related disruption.

Solar-powered welfare facilities

Using solar energy for our on-site staff facilities.

Traffic management

50% of the cones used will feature reflectors rather than battery powered lamps.

The delivery team

The project is being delivered by an innovative team including:

National Highways
Tarmac
HW Martin traffic management
Premier Roadmarkings

Each is bringing low carbon innovations to the project, to reduce the emissions of construction as much as possible.

"We’re taking positive steps towards a more sustainable, decarbonised future. We hope this project will pave the way for industry-wide changes, resulting in significant carbon savings and improved road surfaces for drivers."

Angela Halliwell, Head of Carbon and Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Planning, National Highways