Innovative construction techniques used on two recent Highways Agency projects have been highlighted in a Government review designed to promote low carbon initiatives.

Widening of the M25 and stabilising an embankment on the A21 (pictured) are listed as good examples to follow in the 'Infrastructure Carbon Review' launched on Monday.

The M25 contract saved 115,000t of carbon through clever use of sheet piling, recycled aggregates and reduced pavement thicknesses.

On the A21, a 40% carbon saving was achieved using a technique known as electro-osmosis in combination with soil nailing and improved drainage to stabilise a failing embankment.

The 'Infrastructure Carbon Review' recommends ways in which Government and industry could reduce carbon emissions in infrastructure by as much as 24 million tonnes a year by 2050. These include using new technologies, construction techniques and low carbon materials.

Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon said: "This review makes the business case for carbon reduction in what we build. It has been written by business leaders, not civil servants, and throws down the gauntlet to the construction sector to get behind this initiative."

(Photo: Highways Agency)

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