Stockport pioneers carbon-neutral road resurfacing scheme

Stockport Council has partnered with surfacing company, Miles Macadam, on a carbon-neutral solution for road resurfacing in the borough.

The initiative is part of the council’s sustainability efforts and aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact of road maintenance. The project, certified carbon-neutral by Carbon Footprint Ltd, aligns with Stockport Council’s ambitious carbon targets and showcases its proactive approach to combating climate change.

The resurfacing scheme in Robins Lane presented unique challenges as a heavily tree-lined road prone to damp conditions. The road surface had deteriorated to the point where reactive repairs were no longer cost-effective.

The council selected Milepave™, an innovative surfacing solution, to address these issues. Milepave™ provides a fully sealed surface that prevents water penetration, inhibits organic material accumulation, and reduces slippery conditions, enhancing road safety and longevity. Environmental savings including a 27.2 tonne reduction in aggregate use, and carbon savings of 5.4 tonnes over the uses of conventional materials.

Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks, and Leisure Services, said:

“Stockport Council is committed to making our roads safer and more sustainable.

“By using innovative, low-carbon materials like Milepave™, we are reducing our environmental impact while delivering high-quality infrastructure for our residents.

“Under our Climate Action Now plan, we’ll continue to reduce the council’s carbon footprint, achieving net zero by 2030 for council operations.

“This scheme further demonstrates our dedication to achieving our ambitious climate goals.”

Pictured: Toby Fitzsimmons, from Miles Macadam Ltd; Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services; and Carl Taylor, Lead Engineer at Stockport Council.