Live Labs 2 'decarbonising local roads' open to applications

28/07/2022 | DOMINIC BROWNE

The Government-funded £30m Live Labs 2 programme is now open to applications from local highways authorities and other sub-national transport groups with innovative ideas on 'decarbonising local roads'.

Sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT), in partnership with council directors' body ADEPT, Live Labs 2 is a UK-wide programme that will run until March 2026, with a subsequent five-year monitoring and evaluation period.

ADEPT said it developed Live Labs 2 to support the transition to net zero carbon local roads and was looking for applicants with 'ambitious, local highways authority-led partnerships to develop and implement zero carbon and climate change focused local roads plans'.

Successful proposals could outline decarbonisation plans for:

  • Operation and maintenance of existing local roads assets
  • Supporting fixed and moving assets which enable successful operations
  • Construction of new local roads assets (including for new housing/developments)
  • Enhancement, upgrade, adaptation and decommissioning of existing local roads assets

The programme's prospectus, published today, provides full details for applicants on the requirements and how to apply.

Stephen Fidler, co-director for local transport at Department for Transport (DfT) said: 'Much innovation in road decarbonisation has focused primarily on the tailpipe – through areas such as promoting modal shift, behavioural change, and technological advancement.

'But more focus needs to be dedicated to decarbonising the construction and maintenance of our roads. Therefore, this round of Live Labs is focused on stimulating the development of novel approaches to the net zero challenge, with a particular focus on the technically-challenging area of Scope 2 and 3 infrastructure carbon emissions.'

He added he was interested in proposals that 'explore innovations at scale, such as neighbouring authorities testing an innovation over a wider geographical area, or authorities with different geographies testing and comparing interventions in different circumstances and contexts'.

Successful applicants are also expected to help share the knowledge from the trials and take a leadership role in the sector promoting the innovations.

The programme builds on the popular ADEPT SMART Places Live Labs programme launched in 2019, which took a more open approach to the trial of innovations in local places. However, DfT officials have suggested they would like to see more of a business case focus this time around with a requirement to produce ex-post business cases.

Live Labs 2 is overseen by an independent Commissioning Board: ADEPT (chair), Colas, Construction LCA, County Surveyors’ Society Wales, Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland, DfT, EY, Innovate UK, Kent County Council, Kier, Leicestershire County Council, Open Data Institute, Ringway, SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business, Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), Transport for London and WSP.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Civil Engineer - Major Projects x 4

£45,894.00 - £54,952.00
We are looking for experienced engineers to help us progress a number of key projects and programmes Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Technician - Maintenance

£31001.0000 - £36471.0000 per annum
Essex Highways is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Highways Contract Engineer

£46,731 - £49,764
The team helps provide a safe road network that operates efficiently and effectively.  Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner

£46,731 - £49,764 (pro-rata)
We are looking for an experienced professional to join us on a six-month temporary contact as a Principal Transport Planner. Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Highways Maintenance Operative Broughton, Brigg
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Highways Contracts & Network

£81,803 progressing to £90,664 per annum
The team includes approximately 60 directly employed HCC people Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Principal Construction Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Principal Construction Manager Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Quality Technician

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Quality Technician Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)

£42679.0000 - £50211.0000 per annum
Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)Permanent, Full Time£43,960 to £51,718 per annum*Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Project Manager (Major Projects)

£44,711 - £47,754
Are you an experienced project professional or engineer with looking to take the next step in your career? Halifax, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Roads

£45,894 - £54,952
Are you an experienced engineer looking to support the Scottish Government’s national objectives. Scotland
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Senior Civil Engineering Technician

Grade 7 £29,093 to £32,654 per annum
We are looking for a flexible individual who has the ability to meet targets and analyse and resolve complex technical problems and formulate a design Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Project Team Manager

£55,147 to £60,676 per annum
We are pleased to be able to offer an opportunity for a role as Design Team Manager Norwich, Norfolk
Recruiter: Norfolk County Council

Clerk of Works

GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Assistant Projects Engineer

GRADE 06 (£29,093 - £32,654),GRADE 07 (£33,366 - £37,035), GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Traffic Management

£45,718 - £48,710 per annum
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. Bath, Somerset
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Vehicle Technician - Improver

£28,624 - £30,060
Transport Services is responsible for all aspects of transport and related services Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Programme Delivery Office Administrator

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services to make them fit for the future Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Support Officer - Highways Asset Management Systems

£31,586 - £34,314
We are a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to maintaining and improving our highway infrastructure. Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire 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