UK’s first carbon neutral road improvement project
Amey Consulting designed and provided carbon consultancy services on the A590 dual carriageway resurfacing and reconstruction between M6 junction 36 and Brettargh Holt roundabout in Cumbria.
Amey’s carbon modelling experts worked with Highways England and contractors – Aggregate Industries, AE Yates and HW Martin – to measure the carbon benefits of the scheme. The works resulted in carbon reduction across three main areas: materials reduction and reuse, energy reduction, and transportation efficiencies.
In total the project reduced carbon by up to 43% compared to traditional solutions. Amey said, and reduced project costs from nearly £11m to just £8m.
Early collaboration between the client, the consulting engineer and the contractors was key in developing the low-carbon solution as well as the bespoke carbon model used to calculate carbon emissions saved during the construction stage, Amey said. The model allowed for comparison of carbon reduction measures against a baseline ‘traditional’ solution.