Central Bedfordshire Council Paves the Way for Greener Roads with Groundbreaking Low-Carbon Asphalt

A pioneering road construction project in Bedfordshire is leading the way in sustainable infrastructure, using a new material to significantly reduce the project's carbon footprint.

Central Bedfordshire Council, in partnership with contractor Milestone and asphalt manufacturer Breedon Group, has successfully utilised a lower carbon asphalt mix in the resurfacing of Lancot Avenue, Dunstable, for the first time.

This innovative asphalt mix, supplied by Breedon, incorporates a carbon negative aggregate called ACLA^® to significantly lower the project’s carbon footprint. Every tonne of this material permanently removes 748 kg of CO₂e from the atmosphere. Used in the binder course asphalt, ACLA^® ensured the entire middle layer of the road is net zero, substantially reducing the project's overall carbon impact.

Designed and manufactured by Earthshot Prize finalist climate tech company Low Carbon Materials (LCM), ACLA^® works by sequestering carbon dioxide, permanently removing and locking it within the road itself.

By utilising nine tonnes of this material in the asphalt, the project's carbon footprint was reduced by 6.75 tonnes of CO₂e (equivalent to an average UK car driving 23,000 miles or a trip for two to South Africa). This significant reduction is further enhanced by incorporating Recycled Asphalt Planings (RAP) for a more circular approach.

This marks the first time Central Bedfordshire Council, Milestone, and Breedon have used this innovative material, demonstrating their shared commitment to decarbonising road construction and maintenance.

Cllr John Baker, Executive Member for Highways at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable road construction, setting new standards with the use of innovative materials like the low-carbon asphalt mix in Dunstable. This project is another step in our ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions and moving towards greener infrastructure in Central Bedfordshire. By using these new solutions, we are not only making our roads more durable, but also actively contributing to reducing our carbon footprint.”

Keith McWilliams, Business Director of Milestone, said: “We are delighted to be working with Central Bedfordshire Council and our supply chain partners to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions such as this. This will be one of a number of improvements we will be delivering to support the Council in their Net Zero Carbon aspirations.”

James Haluch, Managing Director of Breedon Surfacing Solutions, added:  “We’re proud to be partnering with Milestone, Central Bedfordshire Council and LCM on this groundbreaking project. This collaboration highlights our continued commitment to innovation in the industry and delivering sustainable, lower-carbon material solutions to the market. By working closely with our partners, we are making significant strides towards a more environmentally responsible future, aligning with our core values and dedication to reducing the environmental impact of construction materials.”

Natasha Boulding, CEO of LCM, said: “We're thrilled to have partnered with forward-thinking organisations Central Bedfordshire Council, Milestone, and Breedon on this transformative project. Yet again we have been able to demonstrate how our innovative solutions can significantly lower the carbon footprint of construction projects and how using ACLA is establishing a new standard for sustainable road infrastructure.”

‍