With the support of ORIS, Aggregate Industries UK delivered a very low carbon design for the A590 J36 to Brettargh Holt using AI and based on local material source availability - enabling a Carbon Neutral Scheme. The project was recognized by the Highways Awards 2021 with the environmental sustainability in highways and the judges' special merit awards!
ORIS worked throughout the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) stage with all parties on this £8m scheme for National Highways in Area 13. The 6km reconstruction of the existing carriageway ran from the M6 Jct 36 and the Brettargh Holt roundabout in Cumbria and is a major route into Southern Cumbria, which was identified as the first UK Carbon Neutral Scheme.
Early contractor engagement and a strong commitment from National Highways (NH) to deliver a carbon neutral scheme led to the search of a very low carbon pavement solution through ORIS, that would then be offset with Circular Ecology to reach carbon neutrality. ORIS was able to generate multiple design options within the pavement standards and shortlisted 3 options that showed significant improvement in terms of carbon performance, costs, resources and durability compared to the initial design.
The assessment led to a choice of design enabling an optimum balance between costs and carbon footprint. Overall, the design option showed the following benefits against other designs:
- 55% reduction in carbon emissions (the rest being offset to reach carbon neutrality);
- 85% of the old pavement recycled back;
- Saving to the scheme of £3m;
- Removal of over 6,000 heavy goods vehicles;
- Reuse of all hazardous waste material.