A brand-new biogenic road resurfacing method is being trialled in Lancaster.
The product is being used as part of an ongoing drive to reduce Lancashire County Council’s reliance on fossil fuels for road maintenance.
The council has been progressively reducing the carbon footprint of the materials and methods it uses on our roads since 2020.
So far this has focused on using materials which work at lower temperatures, and maximising use of recycled asphalt, to cut the amount of new fossil fuels used.
Three resurfacing schemes recently completed in Lancaster have taken this further by employing a new type of bitumen partly made from biogenic material.
Most of the new fossil fuels used in road maintenance are contained in the bitumen binder which acts as a glue to stick together the asphalt materials used to construct the road.
The binder used in these new schemes is partly made using a biogenic component. This removes carbon from the atmosphere, storing the carbon as it grows, before being refined and blended into bitumen. This replaces a portion of the bitumen which is derived from fossil fuels. The biogenic element used in the bitumen is sustainably sourced and does not compete with food sources.
It was used to lay 630 tonnes of asphalt on Barley Cop Lane, Malham Close and Birkdale Close during May, saving 9 tonnes of CO2. The type of asphalt used also works at 'warm' rather than 'hot' temperatures helping to reduce CO2 output by 24% compared with traditional methods.
County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Our highways team has been pioneering low carbon methods for a number of years, and these new schemes represent further valuable progress towards minimising our CO2 output as far as we possibly can.
"We’re committed to improving the condition of our roads, and our teams are currently really busy making the best use of the good weather to carry out vital repairs and resurfacing across the county.
"We're equally committed to reducing our impact on the environment, and help Lancashire achieve our net zero target.
"We're already expecting to save around 769 tonnes of CO2 during this year's programme, which is a 28% saving compared with using traditional materials and methods. This new biogenic bitumen will help towards that, and something we hope to make greater use of in the future as the product is developed."
The county council has worked with asphalt supplier Aggregate Industries to develop asphalts which use the biogenic bitumen binder supplied by Shell Construction and Road.
Traditional materials have been used for parts of the Lancaster resurfacing schemes so that the performance of the biogenic binder can be directly compared, helping these companies to test and develop the product
Lancashire County Council has been recognised nationally for its commitment to sustainable working practices and carbon reduction in maintaining the county's highways.
The council was awarded the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) prestigious Climate Action Award last year in recognition of its Highways Decarbonisation Strategy.
Picture shows (L-R) County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for highways and transport, and County Councillor Shaun Turner, cabinet member for environment and climate change, visiting Barley Cop Lane, Lancaster, to see the biogenic bitumen in use.
Police issue quicksand warning after riverbank danger for school pupils in Lancaster
Lancaster animal shelter launches 'Big Build' fundraiser to help save charity
LISTEN: Morecambe "definitely submitting a bid" to become first UK Town of Culture
Heysham Port upgrade blamed for traffic chaos 'trapping residents in their homes'
LISTEN: Tourism champs hail Eden Project and Tour de France as huge for Morecambe Bay area
Donation helps college pan ability football team to play in national championships
LISTEN: Meet the new manager of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe
LISTEN: Main contractor to build Eden Project Morecambe to be announced this month
£1.2m of funding for flood defence schemes in Lancaster district announced
Morecambe Bay hospital trust unveils new painless blood test
Thousands raised to help boost return of Lancaster Music Festival
High street computer games shop in Lancaster closes down
LISTEN: Carnforth actor wins Hollywood and Paris awards for horror film role
"1600 potholes repaired last week" says councillor as roads debate rumbles on
Burger King takeaway in Lancaster city centre closes down
Morecambe lifeboat crew reunite dog lost on sands with owner
New Morrisons Daily supermarket opens in Morecambe
Council investigate after derelict food trailer found dumped in Lancaster layby
Man charged after pedestrian died in Morecambe hit and run
LISTEN: We go out on Pothole Patrol in Morecambe
