M Group Services division Milestone Infrastructure has successfully trialled innovative cement-free concrete on behalf of the Greater Cambridge Partnership.
The new low-carbon mixture was successfully used to lay new kerbs on Histon Road, Cambridge, following a carefully considered planning process which involved the adjustment of the mix design to ensure the concrete was delivered at the correct slump.
Nicole Turley, Sustainability Manager at Milestone Infrastructure, commented: “As cement is the main contributor of embodied carbon emissions in standard concrete, the removal of all cement within the product will provide significant environmental benefits for Milestone’s clients. The 6m3 load used on the first day of the trial saved just over 1.2tCO2e. This is equivalent to planting six trees or switching off 39 LED lights for a year.
“If used more widely across other Milestone Infrastructure contracts, significant carbon savings could be made which in turn will help the business and their clients hit carbon reduction targets.”
Daniel Wood, Senior Project Manager at Milestone Infrastructure, added: “This trial has demonstrated a wealth of benefits that will improve our highways activities and support our continued efforts to reduce the levels of carbon throughout the business. The success of this trial will hopefully mean that the use of this innovative material in kerb laying techniques can be implemented across other contracts throughout Milestone Infrastructure, improving the services that we provide our clients.”
Cllr Elisa Meschini, Chair of the GCP Executive Board, said: “I am delighted to see the significant upgrades that have been made to Histon Road and to see so many people benefiting from better, safer and more reliable journeys.
“The upgrades to Histon Road – which include the use of Milestone’s innovative cement-free concrete – will encourage more people to get out of their cars to travel between villages and commuter towns to the north and the city centre to help cut congestion on our roads and improve the quality of the air we breathe.
“The scheme forms part of our wider plans to create an integrated transport network that transforms how thousands of people travel around Greater Cambridge every day.”
The Histon Road project involved the widening of the existing highway to create designated widened cycle lanes, a new bus lane, floating bus stops and an innovative circulating cycle junction which is the third of its kind in the UK, to encourage more people to walk, cycle or take the bus in a bid to cut congestion and improve air quality.
The programme of works also saw Milestone installing approximately 13,000m2 of new footways and cycle ways, requiring excavation over and around approximately 29km of existing utilities. The project also involved the diversion of 74 existing utilities and the resurfacing of more than 18,000m2 of carriageway.
Milestone Infrastructure has committed to being net zero carbon by 2040, with interim targets of a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025 and 60% reduction by 2030.
(Picture – Milestone)
