Two local authorities have successfully shown how highways repair can be more efficient and sustainable through using recycled carriageway material.
Transport for London (TfL) has become one of the first highway authorities in the UK to successfully run a trial mixing 50 percent of recycled carriageway material or Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), into the top layer of new road surfaces.
This approach reduced both construction waste and the need for importing new raw materials, as well as helping to lower carbon emissions. The trial ran for nine years from 2016.
Carried out with supplier FM Conway, the trial monitored the performance and durability of RAP in road surfaces on the A1 at Mill Hill, a key strategic road into and out of London. It found that the material can endure frequent, heavy traffic and matches the performance of traditional asphalt, in terms of quality, texture, safety, and maintenance.
Building on the success of this pilot, TfL has carried out further trials on A40 Westway and promotes high RAP asphalt as an option in future highways works on its network.
The trial contributes to TfL’s wider sustainability goal to decarbonise its operations and supply chain in order to help London be a net zero carbon city by 2030.
Isabel Coman, TfL’s Director TfL Engineering and Asset Strategy, said:
“This trial demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and gives a strong signal to the supply chain that we are seeking innovative solutions to reduce the embedded carbon in our major construction materials. We hope this encourages other highway authorities to conduct similar trials and continue to drive improvements in the sustainability, reliability and durability across the sector.”
Mark Flint, FM Conway’s Technical Director, said:
“The use of high levels of recycled asphalt has grown significantly but there’s still a long way to go to making it standard practice. The results of our work with TfL validate what we’ve known all along: that RAP can deliver comparable results to mixes made entirely with virgin materials. The trial has proven that sustainability and innovation advances can be made without compromising the quality and durability of our roads. Partnerships built on trust, like the one we have forged with TfL, are key to continuing this progress.”
Lancashire
The news comes as a pothole repair machine was used in Lancashire to recycle existing materials on site and provide a long-lasting, first-time repair.
The new partnership with Multevo compels the contractor to demonstrate annual improvements and innovation. Multevo repairs are also backed by a workmanship warranty meaning that if work needs to be redone it will be at no extra costs to the county council.
In the first six weeks of the contract, Multevo has repaired around 3,500 individual reported defects – the equivalent of more than 13,500 square meters. Every repair carried out by Multevo is scrutinised internally and then by the county council to ensure repairs are carried out to the highest standard.
Cllr Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said:
“This shift ensures that repairs are done in a timely manner and to the highest standard, first time around, using innovative techniques that are being pioneered by Multevo.
“The Recycle, Rejuvenate, Repair method of pothole repair in particular is going to revolutionise how we approach pothole repairs.”
“This groundbreaking new partnership is already making a real difference to residents’ lives – and we’re only just getting started.”
Multevo Director Josh Sweeney said:
“We are incredibly excited to be able to pioneer our industry leading permanent road repair treatments in our home county.
“Like everyone, we all use the road network and are looking forward to helping to make a real positive difference on Lancashire’s roads by fixing permanently first time.”
Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, Lancashire County Council, said:
“This new partnership is transforming how we maintain roads across Lancashire, prioritising a first-time, permanent repair approach that delivers lasting results.
“Innovation is at the core of this partnership – bolstering our own workforce and enabling us to provide more efficient, cost-effective services that offer real value to Lancashire residents.”
Image courtesy of Multevo
