Holcim UK has supported a pioneering project in the West Midlands which aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of road infrastructure and the rollout of low carbon road resurfacing materials with its latestinnovative asphalt technologies.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and Coventry City Council appointed Holcim to deliver low-carbon and innovative solutions to the project, which will see the company also collaborate with Balfour Beatty and Macdonald Surfacing.
Gathering crucial data for future projects across the UK, the trial involves resurfacing two main roads in Coventry and will see emerging technologies compared with conventional materials.
Led by TfWM, the trials form part of the Centre of Excellence for Decarbonising Roads (CEDR), which is one of seven projects in ADEPT Live Labs 2: Decarbonising Local Roads in the UK. Live Labs 2 is a three‑year, £30 million, UK‑wide programme funded by the Department for Transport that runs until March 2026, followed by a five‑year monitoring and evaluation period.
Bringing the latest innovation and expertise from its Asphalt division, Holcim’s National Technical Manager Neil Leake and Regional Technical Manager Jason Broughton worked closely with the contractors to understand the project requirements and recommend the suitable sustainable solutions.
Neil Leake said:
“This collaboration with key industry stakeholders and local authorities is a great example of how prioritising longevity,
sustainability and innovation can lead to positive outcomes for communities. By working closely with our partners, we have been able to not only deliver a durable and low-carbon road surface for road users in the West Midlands, but to test and refine innovative technologies in a real world setting. This crucial insight will prove crucial to our efforts to improve roads nationally. We are committed to providing value to those working on improving road infrastructure across the UK through
our expertise and sustainable solutions to make this a reality across the UK.”
Mark Corbin, Director of Network Resilience at TfWM, said “These trials reflect our shared commitment to tackling the climate emergency and developing greener, more resilient roads for our communities. By testing these new materials here in the West Midlands, we’re laying the foundations for a more sustainable transport future – locally and nationally.”
(Pic: Holcim UK)
