Use warm mix to cut jams, Tarmac says

15/10/2020 | CHRIS AMES

A major contractor and supplier has called for new thinking in road construction after a survey showed people believe traffic levels are almost back to pre-pandemic levels across the UK.

Nearly two thirds of motorists are making the same number of car journeys (or more) than prior to lockdown, and 41% are now travelling far more than they did a few months ago.

Tarmac pointed out that while roadworks are essential to the network, they also add to the frustration of traffic delays, with 73% of those surveyed saying that their travel had been impacted by roadworks and almost a quarter having been stationary for up to 20 minutes per journey since lockdown restrictions were lifted.

The survey also revealed that 71% of drivers believe traffic levels are the same or higher than pre-lockdown levels.

Tarmac said it is encouraging local authorities to embrace new thinking in road building and repair through the increased use of warm mix asphalt (WMA) to help get traffic moving more quickly.

It wants councils to make WMA the default method of surfacing roads.

National technical director Brian Kent said: ‘As we begin our road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more important for the construction industry to work together with local authorities and councils to adopt more sustainable ways of working.

‘With carbon reduction at the centre of the Government’s Construction Strategy and many local authorities working to achieve net zero targets by 2030, warm mix asphalt is a proven materials technology that benefits road users, residents living around areas of roadworks, highways workforce who spend less time exposed to traffic during roadworks, and the environment.’

WMA involves laying asphalt at lower temperatures than traditional mixes, which means it requires less cooling time between courses, increasing the amount of material that can be laid in a standard shift.

It sets also sets quicker, enabling roads to re-open more quickly, and is more sustainable to produce.

A report last year from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Highways found that although WMA could save 61,000 tonnes of CO2 per year nationally, its use in the UK stood at less than 4%, lagging behind the US (40%) and France (15%).

Read more: We need a collective change of mindset

Image shows Porous Asphalt section placed by Royal BAM Group. This half-warm asphalt, 'LEAB', has equal behaviour properties as Hot Mix Asphalt without recycled content yet it is mixed at 105°C and contains 50% reclaimed asphalt.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Hire Desk Operative

Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
Well-developed IT skills and an excellent working knowledge of the Microsoft Suite are required. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Streetcare Operative / LGV Driver - WMF2214e

£28,598 - £29,540
Applicants must hold a current full LGV Class C driving licence Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (2 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,989 - £26,458 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker/Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 7 £27,088 - £29,062 per annum
We’re looking for roadworker/drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Engineer - Public Realm

£28,624 - £36,124
We are looking for a Senior Engineer to support the development Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Mobile Cleansing Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
We’re seeking a permanent Mobile Street Cleansing Operative to join our dedicated team serving a variety of urban and rural locations Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 7 £27,088 - £29,062 per annum
We’re looking for experienced Roadworker/LGV Drivers High Peak, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer - Hosting and Security

£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within our Hosting and Security Team for an experienced, enthusiastic, and flexible Engineer, with the aim of helping to ensure t Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Senior Engineer - Highways Safety

£28,624 - £36,124
Senior Engineer - Highways Safety Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

HGV & Municipal Vehicle Technician

Scale 5 (scp 16-19) £30,518 to £32,061 pa
An LGV category C driving licence is an essential requirement, as is a National Craft Certificate Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recruiter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Head of Parking

£86,274 - £89,667
Our borough is beginning a huge transformation. Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Assistant Director Transport and Infrastructure

£115,958 - £120,407
Dumfries and Galloway Council is ambitious for our region. Dumfries and Galloway
Recruiter: Dumfries & Galloway Council

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £49,178 - £52,937 per annum
Shape the Future of Highways
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Director of Streets and Environment

£129,901 - £135,064
This is an exciting time to be joining Croydon. Croydon (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Croydon Council

Highway Maintenance Manager

£59,568 - £66,801
As our Highway Maintenance & Drainage Manager Civic Centre, Keynsham
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Director of Transport

£103,292 - £114,280
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Head of Economic Development

Grade 14 £54,867 - £60,971 per annum
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the environment and shaping a sustainable future? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Major Projects Manager

Grade £54,867 - £60,971 per annum
Do you want to make a real difference to ‘place’, be the driving force behind major capital projects and directly impact people’s lives? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2168e

£28,598 - £29,540
This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in a specialised area of highways operations while contributing directly Kendal, Penrith or Barrow
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