Redbridge Council has announced the successful trial of a new asphalt mix that cut a resurfacing project’s carbon emissions by 'two-thirds through incorporating a carbon negative product'.
The London borough used the asphalt mix in resurfacing works at Lodge Hill, Ilford, in a partnership with Kensons Highways.
It said it was the first borough in the capital to trial the mix, which was supplied by Tarmac,
The mix included ACLA, which was designed and manufactured by tech company Low Carbon Materials (LCM) and works by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and locking it into the resurfaced road.
For the trial ACLA was used in the middle of three layers, making the entire middle layer of the road net zero, as well as lowering the project's carbon footprint overall.
Redbridge Council said that using ACLA in the asphalt had reduced carbon emissions by 68%.
Cllr Jo Blackman, cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: 'We’re proud to be the first London borough partnering with Kensons, Low Carbon Materials, and Tarmac to deliver this pioneering new trial.'
Tim Smith, senior technical manager (South East) at Tarmac said: ‘It’s crucial that the learning from this project helps to inform further decarbonisation of the road network.’
Natasha Boulding, CEO of LCM, said: 'This project offers a blueprint for best practice and a clear roadmap for dramatically reducing the environmental impact of road construction and maintenance.'