Norfolk County Council is working with the company that maintains its road network to produce some ‘environmentally-friendly alternatives to asphalt and similar materials, as part of plans to cut the county’s carbon emissions.

Experts are looking to come up with new materials to use in highway maintenance.

Norse Highways manage and maintain about 6,000 miles of highways on behalf of Norfolk County Council – fixing potholes and resurfacing roads.

As part of an initiative to cut carbon emissions from companies owned by the council, engineers based on the County Hall site in Norwich are looking to develop alternatives to the traditional materials used in road maintenance, reports the Eastern Daily Press.

The Norfolk Partnership Laboratory, which is part of Norse Highways, already provides specialist expertise in road design, engineering and construction.

And officers at County Hall say: “This centre of excellence will be key in identifying and specifying innovative engineering solutions for the council and other customers that will produce primary and secondary reductions in carbon emissions.

“This could include advancements in asphalt technology and increased use of recycled materials.”