Redbridge Council has put aside a £10million funding pot to roll out a programme of works to improve the borough’s roads over the next few years.

Kick-starting the initiative was a recent road resurfacing programme in South Woodford and Wanstead Village, which saw the council trial the use of a new, more eco-friendly warm mix road asphalt.

Containing 15% recycled content, the new asphalt mix is produced at a lower temperature leading to reduced emissions during the manufacturing process and less virgin material used, leaving behind a lower carbon footprint. 

 Additionally, 100% of the material removed from the roads being resurfaced in South Woodford and Wanstead Village will be recycled and reused in future resurfacing schemes and will provide the recyclable content in the mix used in other resurfacing projects.

 Redbridge Cabinet Member for Environment and Civic Pride Cllr Jo Blackman said: “We’re not only committed to improving the quality of our roads but also reducing the emissions associated with the resurfacing process. This trial is another step towards reducing our carbon footprint to become a cleaner and greener Redbridge.”

 The new greener mix saves 5-8% CO2 per tonne in the production process compared with more conventional road resurfacing materials, along with a further potential saving of up to 8% in the laying process, and has been used to resurface roads in Ashbourne Avenue; Cadogan Gardens and Charnwood Drive in South Woodford, and Colvin Gardens in Wanstead Village. 

Among its other benefits is greater durability and road resurfacing works being completed more quickly, enabling roads to re-open faster due to the new mix.

The road resurfacing works are being delivered in partnership with Kenson Highways.