Sustainable Highway Trials

National Highways is testing a groundbreaking carbon-negative aggregate developed by Seaham-based Low Carbon Materials on a stretch of the M11 motorway in Essex. This initiative is part of the organization’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and explore sustainable solutions. The trial follows a successful Low Carbon Innovation Competition, which provided funding to seven SMEs, including Low Carbon Materials, to develop their innovative projects.

The ACLA carbon-negative aggregate, supported by Skanska and Tarmac, has been incorporated into resurfacing work on the northbound carriageway between junctions 7 and 8. A test strip featuring this eco-friendly aggregate has been laid alongside a traditional aggregate strip, allowing National Highways to monitor performance under real traffic conditions.

Joanna White, National Highways' research and innovation director, emphasized the potential impact of such solutions on achieving net-zero carbon targets while Low Carbon Materials’ CEO, Natasha Boulding, described the trial as a significant step toward adopting lower carbon materials in road construction.