Delivering a Lower Carbon Highway Improvement Scheme for Westmorland and Furness Council

Product: CarbonLock® biogenic asphalt

Volume: 1,150 tonnes of asphalt, 685 tonnes of which was CarbonLock® biogenic asphalt.

Main contractor: Heidelberg Materials Contracting

Designer: Collaborative scheme design by Westmorland and Furness Council Highways team and Heidelberg Materials technical team

Client: Westmorland and Furness Council
 

Overview

Heidelberg Materials Contracting worked in partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council to deliver a lower carbon road improvement scheme on a 1.5-mile section of the A689 between Harbut Lodge and the Alston War Memorial in Cumbria. Delivered under the highways framework agreement established in 2024, the project showcased how innovative materials and construction techniques can significantly reduce the carbon impact of highway maintenance works.

Project description

The scheme involved resurfacing a 1.5-mile stretch of the A689 , incorporating 685 tonnes of CarbonLock® biogenic asphalt, manufactured at Heidelberg Materials' Keepershield asphalt plant near Hexham.

CarbonLock® incorporates biogenic material within the binder, enabling it to absorb and permanently store CO₂ from the atmosphere throughout its service life. The stored carbon remains locked within the asphalt even when recycled, helping to reduce the overall embodied carbon of road construction projects.

To further lower emissions during construction, the project trialled an Ammann eABG 4820 electric paver, the largest electric-drive paver currently available. Capable of laying up to 1,200 tonnes of asphalt on a single charge, the equipment helped minimise carbon emissions associated with the paving process.

The works were completed to a tight programme and delivered on schedule, ensuring no disruption to other planned highway maintenance activities while supporting the council's commitment to service innovation and carbon reduction.

“This was the first time we have used CarbonLock biogenic asphalt as part of the framework agreement and it was an excellent example of how we can help our clients meet their carbon reduction goals,” said Adrian Stubbs, Regional General Manager at Heidelberg Materials Contracting.

“We worked to a tight schedule and delivered the improvement works on time, ensuring further planned work was not impacted, and provided a 21 per cent carbon reduction compared with laying standard hot-mix asphalt.”

The 1,150 tonnes of asphalt for the scheme was produced at the company’s Keepershield plant, near Hexham, and laid using an electric paver supplied by Ammann to further reduce the carbon impact of the project. The Ammann eABG 4820 is the largest electric-driver paver in the market and is capable of laying up to 1,200 tonnes of asphalt in a single charge and reduces the carbon emissions associated with road laying.

Kieron Tetchner, Lead Network Manager at Westmorland and Furness Council, added: “Westmorland and Furness Council Highways has collaborated closely with Heidelberg Materials to design this carbon exemplar scheme in Alston as part of our highway framework agreement, which was established in 2024.

“To meet council priorities, and as part of our drive for service innovation, we jointly challenged the highways team and Heidelberg Materials’ technical team to design a scheme using CarbonLock biogenic asphalt and electric vehicles wherever possible to reduce the overall carbon and environmental footprint of the project.

“We are proud to be leading in this area alongside Heidelberg Materials and will be monitoring the scheme, evaluating performance and looking for further joint opportunities.”
 

Key facts and figures:

• 1.5-mile section of the A689 resurfaced
• 685 tonnes of CarbonLock® biogenic asphalt used in the 1,150 tonnes supplied and laid
• Asphalt produced at Heidelberg Materials' Keepershield plant, near Hexham
• Electric paving technology used to reduce construction emissions
• 21% carbon reduction achieved compared with a standard hot-mix asphalt solution
• First use of CarbonLock® biogenic asphalt under the Westmorland and Furness Council highways framework agreement
• Scheme delivered as part of Heidelberg Materials' highways framework agreement with the council
• Project completed on programme with no impact on subsequent planned works
• Carbon exemplar project supporting future low-carbon highway maintenance initiatives