'Carbon bomb' warning adds to relief road woes

23/12/2024 | CHRIS AMES

'Carbon bomb' warning adds to relief road woes

Shropshire Council has sought to shrug off a new estimate of the carbon impact of its controversial relief road scheme by increasing the budget and timescale for its pledge to offset the scheme’s emissions.

However, the highway authority has had to admit that it does not have a fully worked-out or costed plan to achieve the promised offsetting and a report from its consultants admits that the main method identified so far cannot be relied upon.

The council has launched a public consultation after submitting a revised Carbon Impact Assessment for the Shrewsbury North West Relief Road (NWRR) to its Northern Planning Committee.

It said the increase in emissions results from a new assessment methodology from the Department for Transport that accounts for a wider range of activities.

In fact, the main change compared to an assessment in 2021 is to the operational impact of the scheme, with road user emissions estimated to be an additional 23,212 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), compared to a previously forecast reduction of 24,545 tCO2e.

Including a (revised) estimate of 42,045 tCO2e from construction and other impacts, the scheme is now forecast to produce lifetime carbon emissions of 76,761 tCO2e, nearly three times the earlier forecast of 26,711 tCO2e.

In response, the council has extended the timescale for making the road ‘carbon neutral’ from 2030 to 2050 and increased the budget for offsetting from £1.4m to £8.4m, representing a further cost increase for a scheme that is already significantly over its original budget.

A report from consultants WSP states that a process to achieve carbon neutrality has been drafted and identifies initial measures that will be considered as part of this.

It adds: ‘This includes use of and support to the Council’s investment in a specialist pyrolysis company from which carbon from vegetation/biomass removed during construction can be captured and stored as biochar.’

However a separate WSP report in response to challenges from the public about the practicality of the proposal states: ‘It is understood, following conversations throughout the Planning Application process, that the Council’s pyrolysis project is not yet at a sufficient level of maturity to rely on to offset the scheme’s impact.’

Campaign group Better Shrewsbury Transport (BeST) said the new estimates prove that the road is a ‘carbon bomb’ and said the fact that the council currently has no quantified or costed plans to mitigate the NWRR’s emissions is breach of one of its planning conditions.

Mike Streetly of BeST said: ‘Ever since this scheme had its public consultation in 2020 the council has told residents that the NWRR will reduce emissions from drivers in Shrewsbury.

‘Now we learn that’s not true at all. If the council builds the road, they will destroy their own climate emergency declaration and their claim to be a climate leader.'

Shropshire Council said the revised assessment has also been submitted to the Northern Planning Committee to ensure full transparency throughout the planning process.

Cabinet member for highways Dan Morris said: ‘Key to our commitment to match the new offsetting requirements and balance the carbon emissions produced is the clear evidence of the many benefits the NWRR for people across Shropshire.

‘We’re committed to transparency throughout this project to ensure that everyone in our county has access to the full range of facts around the road, so that they, councillors, and ultimately the government, can make an informed decision on what is best for the future of our county.’

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Streetscene

£92,027 - £105,394 (Director Grade) Pay award pending
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Senior Highways Network Technician - WMF2149e

£33,366 to £34,314
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Service Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2090e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Maintenance Team as Highways Network Technician. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW