Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to encourage local authorities to use recycled plastic to repair potholes.

The Government is committed to exploring innovative ideas and processes for more environmentally friendly ways of constructing, repairing and maintaining road surfaces.

As part of the Live Labs research programme in conjunction with the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) and private partners, the Department for Transport announced in January 2019 funding of £1.6 million to Cumbria County Council to extend a trial for the selection and testing of recycled plastic in surfacing and structural treatments on the local road network. This trial will assess the suitability and durability of the plastics additives from minor patching work and pothole repairs through to major resurfacing.

As part of the Live Labs programme, projects will be evaluated and the findings disseminated to highway authorities throughout the UK. The Government will encourage local highway authorities to adopt those policies, processes and new ways of working, successfully trialled through the Live Labs Programme.