Thames Tunnel carbon claims fade under questioning

24/01/2023 | CHRIS AMES

National Highways and a major contractor have rowed back on bold claims about the impact that new construction techniques will have on carbon emissions for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC).

Statements claiming significant cuts to carbon would be made on the £9bn project, in one case of 10-20%, were qualified after questioning to suggest potential savings based on ambitions and future innovations.

Speaking at New Civil Engineer’s Tunnelling Festival last month, the LTC’s project director for tunnels, Sinisa Galac, said that if the scheme did not achieve emissions reductions in line with the Government’s legally binding net zero strategy, ‘there won’t be a project’.

Citing various ways that the project to build a tunnel linking Kent and Essex would cut emissions, Mr Galac said: ‘10-20% will be slashed through carbon capture.’

When asked about this claim by the Thames Crossing Action Group (TCAG), which opposes the scheme, National Highways said that while carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) is not yet available, ‘there is potential that we could start using cement manufactured with CCUS towards the end of the construction period’.

A National Highways spokesperson confirmed to Highways that at the event, ‘we included some examples of the type of innovations we would like to see adopted in our supply chain and an indication of the scale of the impact they could have’.

Proposed Lower Thames Crossing A13 junction

Last February, National Highways announced that the LTC had been designated a ‘pathfinder’ project to explore carbon neutral construction and would be the first major UK infrastructure project to use procurement to lower construction carbon.

On Monday, National Highways announced that it had awarded Balfour Beatty a design and build contract worth around £1.2bn to deliver around 10 miles of new for the scheme, as well as 49 structures such as bridges and viaducts.

Announcing the deal, National Highways made no reference to having used the procurement process to lower construction carbon, other than to state that Balfour Beatty ‘share our commitment to driving carbon out of construction’.

Balfour Beatty said it ‘will utilise modular construction techniques to build the structures offsite in a controlled factory environment, significantly reducing carbon emissions by minimising the number of lorry movements and material deliveries to and from site’.

However, when asked to quantify the carbon saving this would achieve, a spokesperson said that during the 18-month detailed design and pre-construction planning phase, ‘we will explore techniques, including modular construction, that have the potential to reduce our environmental impact and support the project’s low carbon targets’.

TCAG chair Laura Blake said: 'Unless any of them can actually present evidence to back up their claims then we can only consider it yet more propaganda and greenwash, and further evidence that the proposed LTC should not go ahead.’

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
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

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
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