Road decarbonisation programme sees huge reduction in emissions

LIVERPOOL is making huge strides toward its net zero ambitions through an innovative programme that could save up to 71% of carbon emissions from the City's roads.

ADEPT Live Labs 2: Decarbonising Local Roads in the UK is a 3-year, UK-wide £30 million programme funded by the Department for Transport that aims to decarbonise the local highway network.

The Live Labs programme harnesses research and innovation in a number of trials to support the transition to net zero carbon local roads, addressing the emissions and resilience challenges posed by the City's highways infrastructure.

The most impactful scheme to date is Princess Drive, where the use of Milepave is predicted to save approximately 152.6 tonnes of CO₂e, representing a 40% reduction in carbon emissions.

In terms of percentage savings, Everton Park stands out. The application of LuminoKrom for cycle lane markings in the park has achieved a 97% carbon saving (4.5 tCO₂e) when compared to lighting such as lamps, and a 74% saving (0.3 tCO₂e) compared to traditional hot thermoplastic line markings.

Other notable schemes include:-

• Pinehurst Avenue: Cold-applied road markings delivered an 89% saving (3.8 tCO₂e).
   

• Alderwood Avenue: A lower-carbon version of road surface material resulted in a 37% saving (86.3 tCO₂e).
   

• Alderfield Drive: The use of low-carbon plant and equipment, including:- Instagrid, saved 72.4 tCO₂e (23%).

Overall, the Liverpool demonstrator schemes are predicted to save around 327.4 tonnes of CO₂e, equivalent to removing 130 cars from the road for an entire year. In a best-case scenario, where all the lowest-carbon options are implemented, the savings could reach 688 tonnes of CO₂e; a 71% reduction.

Looking ahead, the long-term impact is even more promising. Over a 40 year period, the use of longer-lasting materials that require less frequent replacement could result in savings of up to 1,800 tonnes of CO₂e; a 79% reduction.

The 3rd stage of the project will see a focus on minimising the carbon footprint through innovative road design, construction, and maintenance practices.

The project team will also look to test more new materials and processes. Implementing cutting-edge innovation projects across the city, including:- the trial of the latest carbon-saving materials and alternative construction methods.

In addition, there will be an enhancement of recycling initiatives, exploring processes aimed at recycling highways materials to reduce the environmental impact.

Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said:- "This innovative programme is laying the foundations – literally – of our shared future of decarbonised roads. These trials, if they prove successful in Liverpool, can be rolled out across the UK helping the nation to reach our net zero target. I am proud and delighted that our city is playing a leading role in this programme and am looking forward to even more innovative trials coming forward that will save energy and emissions."

Bus improvements welcome, but routes also vital

LOCAL Councillors representing:- Churchtown, Marshside and Crossens have welcomed the announcement that the X2 bus service will now run later (until approximately tea time) Monday to Saturday.

This extension to the service will allow for greater transport options for residents of Crossens, Churchtown and Marshside and reflect repeated comments from commuters who felt cut-off by the service's earlier finishing time.

Although welcome, the areas Lib Dem Councillors would like to see routes reviewed also as more development happens across the area and new communities develop. The 3 Councillors have previously spoken to local bus companies about services running down Balmoral Drive, where a new development is currently underway.

This would allow new and existing communities to be better served while also providing a more efficient service, as a greater number of commuters are given genuine choice about how they want to travel.

All 3 Councillors have also recommitted to protecting the existing travel passes against any plans which would see eligibility restricted or removed.

Councillor Gareth Lloyd-Johnson said:- "This is positive step and pleasing to see but there is more that can be done. Our transport systems need to develop as our communities do and a proper review of routes, with a view to expanding services to the areas where an increasing number of people are is a very sensible next step."

Councillor Lauren Keith added:- "We are big supporters of public transport and encouraging people to use it but we have to have a system that is a plausible and convenient alternative to diving and that means having routes which reflect where people are and the places that they want to visit. Relatively minor tweaks to current routes could make a huge difference."

Councillor John Dodd said:- "Bus services are vital to our communities. Not so long ago, we had a half-baked plan from our then MP which would have put us into a different Council area with absolutely no plans to maintain the existing travel passes. Our residents can be absolutely sure, we will never vote for any plan that would take away the travel passes."

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