Roads decarbonisation sees huge reduction in emissions

The programme harnesses research and innovation in a number of trials to support the transition to net zero carbon local roads.

Transcript

00:00Liverpool is making huge strides towards its net zero ambitions through an innovative programme

00:06that could save 70% of carbon emissions from the city's roads. The £30 million Adept Live Labs 2

00:13Decarbonising Local Roads programme funded by the Department for Transport is a three-year project

00:18tackling the carbon footprint of our local highways. It's testing innovative materials,

00:23equipment and designs to help the UK's roads reach net zero. Here in Liverpool trials are

00:28already showing big results on Princess Drive using Millipave. It's predicted to cut carbon

00:34emissions by around 40%, that's more than 150 tonnes of CO2. In Everton Park, glow-in-the-dark

00:41cycle lane markings have slashed emissions by 97% compared to traditional lighting and by 74%

00:48compared to standard road paint. Other successes include cold applied markings on Pinehurst Avenue,

00:54saving nearly 90% of emissions and a lower carbon road surface on Alderwood Avenue, cutting 37% of

01:01carbon. Across the city, these demonstrator schemes are expected to save the equivalent CO2 of taking

01:08130 cars off the road for a year. In the best case scenario, that saving could rise to 688 tonnes of CO2,

01:18that's a 71% reduction. And over the next 40 years, longer-lasting materials could save up to 1800 tonnes,

01:24almost 80% less carbon. The next phase will focus on designing, building and maintaining roads in ways

01:32that use even less carbon, testing new materials, boosting recycling and trialling alternative

01:36construction methods. These trials could be rolled out nationwide and Liverpool is laying the foundation

01:42for a cleaner, greener future.