Highways England decarbonisation plan: '2040 net zero road maintenance and construction'

21/07/2021 | CHRIS AMES

Highways England has published an ’ambitious’ new decarbonisation plan that it said will see it ‘rapidly’ cut carbon from road construction, maintenance and operations, and support the transition to zero emission vehicles.

The government-owned company said that from today it will take immediate and sustained action towards decarbonising its network.

It said the plan supports the Government’s transport decarbonisation strategy and sets out a comprehensive roadmap to rapidly decarbonise the strategic road network (SRN), ‘building on its work reducing carbon since 2015.’

The plan includes three key commitments; achieving net zero for Highways England’s own operations by 2030, delivering net zero road maintenance and construction by 2040; and supporting net zero carbon travel on the SRN by 2050.

Contractors and suppliers will also be required to act, ’including commitments to reduce carbon year-on-year by using the latest technologies', so that by 2040 maintenance and construction on the SRN are near zero emissions.

Highways England said it has been ‘progressing towards net zero for some time’, citing the introduction of plug-in hybrid vehicles to its fleet, installing more effective LED lighting on the M62, utilising recycling and solar power for resurfacing on the A590, and launching electric vehicle trials with local councils.

Acting chief executive Nick Harris said: ‘Highways England recognises the threat of climate change and the risks it poses for us all. That’s why we’re pledging to take effective action to take carbon out of roads.

'Today roads are a convenient, efficient and low-cost way to travel, which is why nine out of 10 passenger miles and 79% of all freight moves on roads. Our plans set out how emissions from our own operations, our construction and our customers will reduce over the coming years.

‘It will put roads at the heart of the low carbon economy, while preserving the convenience and economic benefit of an efficient road network.’

Civil Engineering Contractors Association chief executive Alasdair Reisner said: ‘As an industry we must recognise what good looks like, understand where it’s going and always challenge our thinking, in order to deliver sustainable infrastructure for the long term.’

Highways England said it has made a Greening Government Commitment to reduce its own carbon emissions by 75% compared with the 2017/18 baseline

It said its commitment to be net-zero for its own carbon emissions includes switching to LED lighting, changing its vehicle fleet to electric and planting up to three million additional trees.

In relation to the commitment that all vehicles on the SRN will be net-zero by 2050, Highways England said it is taking action in Road Period 2 (2020-2025):

  • to provide charging infrastructure on its network and create a blueprint of on-road services for electric vehicles
  • to train traffic officers to meet the needs of electric vehicles in incident recovery
  • to support modal shift and integration of modes
  • to act as an expert advisor and assessor for Government trials of emerging zero-carbon HGV technologies.

Further detail in the plan includes:

  • 100% electric car fleet by 2030
  • Replace 70% of all lighting with LED by 2027
  • An extra three million trees planted by 2030
  • First net-zero road enhancement scheme by 2030
  • Develop a zero carbon 2040 roadmap for cement, concrete and asphalt by June 2022
  • Make digital roads an integral part of Road Period 2, and build this into Road Period 3 strategy and beyond from 2023
  • By 2023, publish a blueprint showing how EV charging services should be provided on motorways and major A-roads.
  • By the end of 2022, Highways England will report to Government on its proposed approach to zero carbon HGV trials on its roads

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

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

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

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 undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset 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