Coventry at the Forefront of Sustainable Road Material Testing

This summer, Coventry is taking a leading role in the national shift toward more eco-conscious road construction by trialling sustainable surfacing materials on two of its key roadways.

These trials form part of a wider £4 million initiative across the West Midlands, supported by the Department for Transport and delivered by Transport for West Midlands. Coventry’s involvement will provide valuable data on how greener materials perform under actual traffic conditions, helping shape the future of road maintenance in the UK.

The project is designed to explore the environmental and economic benefits of alternative materials, offering crucial information for councils looking to adopt low-carbon practices in road infrastructure. It will allow for a clear comparison of carbon outputs, durability, and cost across multiple sites.

Coventry’s contribution builds on the city’s previous work using alternative materials in road resurfacing. In past years, recycled rubber pellets were used to upgrade roads in Cheylesmore as part of efforts to reduce the environmental impact of routine maintenance.

Resurfacing is planned over the coming weeks at:

• Broad Lane – from the A45 to Farcroft Avenue

• Willenhall Lane – from Langbank Avenue to Deerdale Way

Each location will test different layers of the road structure. Broad Lane will focus on the binder course (middle layer), while Willenhall Lane will experiment with the surface course (top layer). The innovative materials being tested include:

• Graphene-enhanced asphalt – designed to be longer-lasting and reduce maintenance costs

• Biogenic binders – made from plant-based sources, offering a lower-carbon alternative to traditional bitumen

• Carbon-negative aggregates – which help to offset carbon emissions from construction

Councillor Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services at Coventry City Council, said: “Coventry has always been a city of innovation, and we’re proud to be leading the way once again as we trial these exciting low-carbon road materials right here on our streets. Projects like this not only help us tackle the climate crisis, but also support our commitment to creating cleaner, greener neighbourhoods for residents. By investing in this trial, we’re able to resurface two roads for the cost of one – it’s a win for the environment and a win for local taxpayers.”Mark Corbin, Director of Network Resilience at TfWM, added: “It’s great to see Coventry and the Centre of Excellence for Decarbonising Roads working together at the forefront of innovation, supported by an excellent partnership of public, private and academic organisations. These trials reflect our shared commitment to tackling the climate emergency and developing greener, more resilient roads for our communities. By testing these new materials here in the West Midlands, we’re laying the foundations for a more sustainable transport future—locally and nationally.”

The work is being overseen by Transport for West Midlands, with Coventry City Council handling local operations. Delivery partners include Balfour Beatty, MacDonald Surfacing, and Holcim, the supplier of the sustainable asphalt products.

A case study summarising the outcomes of Coventry’s trials will be released later this year, contributing to national goals for carbon neutrality and a greener road network.

More information about the programme is available at the Live Labs 2 and www.decarbonisingroads.co.uk