February 13th 2024
Low carbon road resurfacing in Bradford
Milepave™ from Miles Macadam Ltd covers 13,249m² of road surface using fewer resources and producing 40% less carbon emissions.
The recent storms and wet weather have affected roads across the country, and the increasing average weight of road vehicles such as SUVs and EVs hasn’t helped. Yet several councils have been quick to respond in ingenious ways. Last month, we reported on a robot checking for potholes in Hertfordshire. But what we do to fill potholes and resurface roads can be just as ingenious.
Image courtesy Miles Macadam
Last summer, contractor Miles Macadam Ltd used its trademarked Milepave to cover 13,249m² of road surface in Bradford that had suffered significant damage and potholing. The work was delivered in collaboration with Hanson Asphalt.
Milepave is an asphaltic grouted macadam which can withstand the kinds of cracking and stone loss typically associated with concrete roads. The grout used penetrates through the material, strengthening the road surface and protecting against water ingress. This, of course, helps to reduce damage and potholing in future.
Importantly, Milepave uses fewer resources and less bitumen – a waterproofing material produced from the distillation of crude oil – than conventional surfacing materials. Compared to them, Milepave also requires lower mixing temperatures and less energy.
The result has seen savings of 161.6 tonnes in aggregates and 21 tonnes in bitumen. The reduced emissions asphalt used in the process reduced gas emissions equivalent to taking 147 cars off the road. The overall carbon footprint of the surfacing programme was reduced by more than 40% compared to conventional surfacing methods.
Richard Gelder, Highway Asset Manager at Bradford Council, says: ‘We are delighted to have used Milepave™ combined with a Reduced Emissions Asphalt for these schemes across Bradford. It is a collaboration between the Council and our partners that showcases our dedication to improving our infrastructure in a more sustainable way.
‘Bradford declared climate emergency in January 2019 and we’re working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to become the first net zero city region by 2038. The use of Milepave is one of the things we are doing to take us on that journey to become more sustainable.’
Toby Fitzsimmons, Business Development Manager at Miles Macadam, adds: ‘This was a valuable opportunity to develop a project that not only contributed to the reduction of carbon emissions for Bradford’s Clean Air Zone but also fostered their drive for sustainability. It’s great to be a part of the Council’s commitment to sustainable initiatives, and we look forward to delivering many more projects like this in the future.’
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