Northycote Lane is the first road in Wolverhampton to trial a new asphalt technology, that uses rubber crumb from the 40 million waste tyres produced every year, which is a sustainable alternative to resurface local roads.
Approximately 500 recycled tyres were mixed into the asphalt to create the new road surface.
The surface is laid at a lower temperature which means roads can be reopened quicker with up to 10% less carbon dioxide emissions, improved site safety, reduced fumes and less risk of burns to workers.
Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment at City of Wolverhampton Council said: “It’s great to see innovative solutions to repurpose these tyres that could otherwise go to waste.
“We were the first local authority in the Black Country to declare a climate emergency and we are keen to explore ideas that can reduce our carbon footprint and improve our environment.
“This technology will provide a safe surface with less emissions and reduces disruption during the laying process which is a fantastic move towards achieving our carbon neutral target.”
Brian Kent, national technical director at Tarmac, said: “Our innovative rubber modified asphalt technology takes advantage of one of the UK’s most significant and overlooked waste streams – used tyres. Every single day in Britain alone, some 100,000 worn tyres are removed from vehicles and sent for recycling or export.
“The City of Wolverhampton has taken the lead in delivering sustainable highways solutions in the Black Country by leveraging this pioneering technology and unlocking the benefits provided by a circular economy approach.”
The city council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has committed to working towards becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2028.
To find out more about the council’s commitment to tackle climate change visit Climate Change and sustainability.
