Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential for introducing low-carbon materials into road building and road maintenance programmes.

The Government is committed to exploring innovative ideas and processes for more environmentally friendly ways of constructing, repairing, and maintaining road surfaces. It is working closely with sector partners such as the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT), the Local Councils Roads Innovation Group, and the Highways Sector Council to encourage authorities to explore low-carbon options.

As part of the ADEPT Live Labs research programme, the Department for Transport provided £22.9 million to eight innovative projects throughout the country, which included trials using recycled plastics, and the addition of graphene, in surfacing and structural treatments. These trials will assess the suitability and durability of these additives, from minor patching work and pothole repairs through to major resurfacing.