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Insights into the Barriers to Decarbonising Roads
The Barriers to Decarbonising Roads Sandbox (BDRS) formed part of ADEPT’s Live Labs 2 programme, which explores how innovation can accelerate the decarbonisation of the UK’s local roads. Delivered in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Decarbonising Roads (CEDR) and the Safetytech Accelerator, the Sandbox provided a national testbed where emerging companies could work directly with local authorities, contractors and academic partners to identify and overcome barriers to the adoption of low-carbon materials and technologies.
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North Campus - Project Final Report
The completion of this Live Labs 2 project marks a significant milestone for North Lanarkshire Council (NLC), Scotland and the wider UK local roads sector. Over the course of the project, the Centre of Excellence for Decarbonising Roads has moved from concept to reality, demonstrating how local authorities (LAs) can lead national progress toward lower‑carbon and resilient road maintenance and construction. The construction, renewal, adaptation, and maintenance of the UK’s local road assets have long represented a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. With materials alone accounting for around 40% of total embodied carbon in roads, and additional emissions arising from Scope 2 and 3 activities, the sector has historically faced a fragmented landscape of innovation. Individual local authorities have been left to independently trial new technologies, shoulder disproportionate risk, and balance rising costs against uncertain returns in resilience and decarbonisation.
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On the ground behaviour change
Across the three local authorities, low carbon trials appear to be a great success, but there is uncertainty about the road ahead. Investing in lower-carbon approaches is a balancing act –requiring trade offs between enthusiasm and practicality. There are a number of behaviour change opportunities to leverage key drivers and overcome key challenges to innovation.
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Categorisation of Carbon Emission Factors
Centre of Excellence for Decarbonising Roads (CEDR) is part of Live Labs 2, a three-year, UK-wide £30 million programme, funded by the Department for Transport, aimed at decarbonising the local highway network. It includes seven projects, grouped by four interconnected themes, led by local authorities working alongside commercial and academic partners. North Lanarkshire Council, with support from Amey, leads the north campus for the Centre of Excellence for Decarbonising Roads, while Transport for West Midlands, with support from Colas, leads the south campus, creating a national framework for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
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