New ALARM research reveals slow pace of decarbonisation

04/10/2024 | DOMINIC BROWNE

New ALARM research reveals slow pace of decarbonisation

Exclusive research by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) and LCRIG in the annual ALARM survey has uncovered a wide gap between action and intention when it comes to decarbonising local road maintenance.

The results of a previously unreleased joint LCRIG/AIA section of this year's survey found that 90% of local authorities in England and Wales have a net zero pledge – with more than half of these giving 2030 as their target date.

However, only 11% reported that they had updated their highway asset management plan to include net zero principles and targets and only 6% had a target to reduce carbon from road surfacing materials.

Revealing the results at the LCRIG Strictly Highways conference this week, chair of the AIA David Giles (pictured) also highlighted 'another disconnect – between policy ambitions and the reality of managing the highway asset on a limited budget' when it came to low carbon materials.

He revealed that while warm mix asphalts (WMA) are on the specification list at the majority of local authorities in England, industry figures show that only around 5% of all asphalt manufactured is produced as warm mix, despite evidence that it can reduce the CO2 associated with asphalt production by up to 15%.

National Highways has adopted WMA as standard for the strategic network 'but take-up at a local authority level has been much slower,' Mr Giles said.

He added: 'A key part of the decarbonisation story is reducing the number of maintenance interventions by specifying more durable materials and 72% of those responding to the net zero asphalt ALARM section reported that they actively select materials with longer life.

'It is clear that enhancing the durability of materials reduces the number of maintenance interventions and minimises whole-life carbon emissions. Polymer modified bitumens, for example, are well known for extending the life of the asphalt and can also include recycled and biogenic content to help further reduce embodied CO2.'

Mr Giles accepted that there could be a conflict in the mind of engineers, with some specifying traditional hot rolled asphalt precisely because they thought it was more durable and so lower carbon over its lifetime.

The path to net zero section in ALARM also asked which net zero training areas would be most beneficial to help authorities achieve their decarbonisation aims.

The area that was ranked as the most important was 'materials innovation and how to select materials based on carbon impact'.

'The good news is we’ll be showcasing examples of this at our Sharing Best Practice event next month and you can find out more about that on the AIA website,' Mr Giles said.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

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

Street Cleansing Operative

£25,584.00 to £27,269.00, Grade 5
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Gully Operative

£25,584.00 to £27,269.00, Grade 5
Are you a hard-working looking for career in highway maintenance? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield 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

Highways Operative - WMF3003e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit Highways Operatives to our Highways Service. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Engineer

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

Highways Policy and Procedures Officer - WMF3011e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is an exciting opportunity to support the Asset Manager in developing policies and procedures Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Maintenance Bridge Engineer

Band G, SCP 32 -37 (£41,511 - £46,731 per annum)
We have an exciting opportunity available within the Highways Service at Sandwell Council House based in Oldbury. Sandwell, West Midlands
Recruiter: Sandwell Metropolitan 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

RCHW Site Operative - Dovercourt Recycling Centre

Up to £25081.00 per annum
RCHW Site Operative - Dovercourt Recycling CentreFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Highways Maintenance Manager

£49,764 - £53,817 per annum
We are looking for an experienced co-ordinator to join the team as a Highways Maintenance Manager Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Civil Enforcement Officer

£25,183 - £26,409
Are you looking for a role that allows you to earn whilst been outdoors across the district of North Yorkshire? Whitby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Civil Enforcement Officer

£25,183 - £26,409
Are you looking for a role that allows you to earn whilst been outdoors across the district of North Yorkshire? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Street Cleansing Technician (CDC)

Grade 6, £25,175 - £25,983 (Pay award pending) + 6% AIA
We are about to embark on an ambitious programme of change in our city centre Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Improvement Manager

£49,764 - £53,817 per annum
Would you like to be part of our friendly, supportive, Highways team? Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire 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

Highways Officer

£33,366 - £37,035 per annum
We are seeking to recruit a Highways Officer based at our Highways Office in Whitby. Whitby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Project Engineer - Forward Programmes

Grade 11 £38,629 - £41,928 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire 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