Redbridge first in London to trial ground-breaking highways eco-project that has delivered carbon savings equivalent to driving around the world ten times!

Published: 26 March 2026 rain garden being created as part of flood alleviation works taking place in Clayhall

Redbridge became the first London borough to use a pioneering new eco-cement, alongside other innovative green technology, to ensure a recent Highways project is completed without leaving a big carbon footprint on the borough.

The low carbon initiatives were adopted by the Council’s Highways Team for a project on Heathcote Avenue, Clayhall, combining resurfacing works and the installation of a flood alleviation scheme to reduce flood risks in the area and create smoother roads and footways for local people. 

The eco-project is the first of its kind in the borough to bring several carbon saving measures together under one scheme, and uses a combination of ground-breaking eco-materials, and technology including the first ever use of  ‘EVO zero’ cement in London. 

Created by Heidelberg, the new greener cement has near zero carbon in their material thanks to carbon capture technology.

The team also continued the use of ACLA®, a greener asphalt mix for the road and footway resurfacing part of the  project. It was first trialled in the borough last year. This specific asphalt mix significantly lowers the carbon footprint from the road resurfacing process by incorporating a carbon negative product into the mix called ACLA ®.

Highways and construction works can be very carbon intensive, but Redbridge’s Highways Team are continuing to champion and incorporate greener methods to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle the climate emergency. 

The project’s overall eco-credentials were further boosted using materials such as recycled plastic kerbs, and organic topsoil, solar temporary traffic signals, electric vehicles, or vehicles using HVO fuel – a biofuel made from renewable waste materials, with significantly less carbon impact on the environment.

The carbon saving so far from the scheme, which is being delivered by Kensons Highways, sits at approximately 65 tonnes which is equivalent to driving around the world ten times! 

Cllr Jo Blackman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability said: “I am proud that Redbridge Council is leading the way by bringing together these low carbon innovations. Each element of the project is using new low carbon materials or equipment to achieve impressive carbon reductions which help contribute to our climate strategy.” 

Dhiresh Bhatt, Head of Highways and Transportation said: “Every single day the team and our partners Kenson Highways are looking at innovating and changing the way we do things. We know highways and construction projects contribute to carbon emissions so it’s our mission as an industry to address that through new ways of working and using new materials.” 

David Shelley, Director at Kenson Highways said: “This scheme shows that Redbridge is genuinely leading the way in delivering lower carbon highways projects. By supporting the use of innovative materials such as EVO Zero cement and being the first in London to use it, the Council is setting a clear benchmark for how sustainability can be embedded into everyday infrastructure. At Kenson Highways, we are more than happy to work alongside Redbridge to introduce new innovative materials and technologies, and to help trial approaches that reduce carbon without compromising quality or safety. Schemes like this demonstrate what can be achieved when forward thinking authorities and delivery partners work together.”