Westminster’s ground-breaking low-carbon roadworks

Westminster City Council has completed a six-week project in King Street, which has used a series of low-carbon measures to cut project carbon emissions by almost 75%.

 

The project, to repair public highways and upgrade the footway, used electric vehicles, tools, welfare, and recycled equipment, to remove the traditional need for diesel and petrol engines. The charging points for electric vehicles and tools installed will remain in situ for local residents use as a legacy of this project.

Among the low-carbon measures was the use of GreenPatch, a high recycled content permanent pothole and patch repair asphalt, supplied and laid by contractor FM Conway.

Cllr Andrew Smith, Westminster’s Cabinet Member for Highways & Environment, said: “If we are to truly tackle the effects of climate change and meet our ambitious target of Westminster being carbon neutral by 2030, then we must revolutionise the way we do things as a local authority, which includes the way we carry out our essential daily works and operations.

“This scheme is not only ground-breaking but also a catalyst for change in the way we do things. We hope that the success of this trial will see public realm works across the city transform for the better and help us towards maintaining a greener and cleaner Westminster.”

Data collected throughout the trial will be used to calculate the total carbon savings, with the aim of reducing emissions, cutting noise pollution and ultimately providing a blueprint for all future works to be low-carbon, low-emission, and sustainable.