Overview
Marlborough Highways delivered one of the capital’s largest low carbon resurfacing schemes to date for Barnet Council, across three streets in six days. The scheme combined a lower carbon asphalt mix with planned changes to transport and plant, with clear, reportable reductions in tCO₂e.
The Brief
Barnet Council required a practical way to reduce carbon emissions from routine resurfacing on live streets. Marlborough was appointed to identify where carbon could be taken out of both the asphalt approach and the delivery method, supporting BarNET ZERO and the ambition of a net zero borough by 2042. The Council also identified the use of ACLA, a carbon negative additive developed by Low Carbon Materials, as an opportunity to reduce embodied carbon within the asphalt, requiring it to be incorporated alongside other carbon reduction measures.
Delivery
Marlborough resurfaced three streets over six days, leading the works throughout and coordinating material supply to make the asphalt specification workable.
For the binder course, Marlborough introduced a lower carbon asphalt mix incorporating Holcim SuperLow and ACLA. Within the mix, ACLA was used at approximately five to seven percent of aggregate content, reducing embodied carbon while maintaining the required structural performance for a live carriageway. For the wearing course, SuperLow asphalt was used to reduce emissions while maintaining surface durability and ride quality.
As well as reducing emissions through the asphalt mix, Marlborough built carbon reduction into day-to-day delivery. Electric vans were used where feasible, charged at Marlborough depots on a 100% renewable tariff, with HVO used where electric or hydrogen options were not viable. On site, Marlborough prioritised the use of electric plant, including an electric roller and an electric disc cutter, with charging managed through depot charging and supported on site where required.
Project at a Glance
Client: Barnet Council
Date: April 2026
Project:
- Carriageway resurfacing across three streets in Barnet, delivered over six days
- Holcim SuperLow in both the binder and the wearing course; ACLA in the binder course to reach net zero at the point of lay; warm mix production as standard; lower carbon delivery across transport, plant, and waste.
- Estimated saving: up to 57.85 tCO₂e versus a traditional approach (from 62.34 tCO₂e to as low as 4.49 tCO₂e).
- Operations: transport 6.76 tCO₂e saved; plant 4.55 tCO₂e saved; waste 0.01 tCO₂e saved.
- Outcome: A lower carbon resurfacing specification delivered within a standard programme, with measurable reductions in emissions.
Client Feedback:
“From our first discussion, Marlborough Highways embraced the brief and helped us explore the market for alternative materials. Together we developed a practical sustainability scheme, and the collaboration across suppliers through Marlborough made a real difference. We are pleased to use innovative materials in Barnet that have not been widely used elsewhere in the country.”
Daniela Pometti, Head of Highways Asset Management, London Borough of Barnet
Results
The completed works reduced the estimated carbon footprint from 62.34 tCO₂e to as low as 4.49 tCO₂e. This represents a saving of up to 57.85 tCO₂e, with the majority achieved through material selection and additional reductions delivered through plant and transport changes. This was delivered within a standard resurfacing programme, without affecting network operation, and can be applied to future works with carbon savings measured alongside routine delivery outputs.
“One of the things I value most is their very collaborative and transparent team culture. It makes a big difference to have a contractor that wants to work closely with us and is supportive and responsive. With Marlborough, I get a team who are attentive, work collaboratively and honestly with me and don’t lose focus on delivering first class communications and compliance.”
“From the design stage, Marlborough has been fundamental in delivering the Broad Lane Square improvements scheme. During the works, not only did the team manage to keep to the programme, but they went the extra mile to ensure attention to detail and came up with innovative solutions to address issues encountered on site. My thanks on behalf of Haringey goes out to Marlborough for their dedication to deliver.”
“Working alongside our Term Service Contractor Marlborough Highways, we successfully completed renovations to the Crowstone Footbridge. The designs were provided by Marlborough, and the work was unique. The scheme was completed to budget and ahead of its programme duration.”
“I would like to thank you and your team for your efforts, the Marlborough crews were professional, courteous, and hard working all day and ensured the event went without a hitch. You and the team were a credit to the company, demonstrating commitment and support to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.”
“I just wanted to say what a pleasure it has been to work with Marlborough Highways over the last six months. The quality of work is superb, and there has been some excellent collaboration between Milestone and Marlborough to complete, what at times, has been quite a challenging scheme. I hope to work with Marlborough on another project in the near future.”
“Marlborough worked with us in constructing a 1.3km cycle track. There were a number of technical difficulties to overcome, and their gifted foreman worked to propose some innovative solutions to the challenges we faced. The result is a facility that the locals are proud of, providing walkers and cyclists with alternative access to the hospital and nearby school. The scheme was a lot of hard work, but well worth it.”
“Marlborough attracts people who take care and have pride in their work. Several gangs of Operatives worked tirelessly for six months to reconstruct drainage networks, lay more than 3km of high quality bespoke granite kerbs and granite channels blocks to ensure positive drainage. The technical compliance, attention to detail and level of quality finish along the entire carriageway was exceptional”.
“We saw huge benefits in appointing Marlborough as our full service contractor and we’re impressed – they’ve delivered consistent high quality service and superior quality control across every project. Marlborough, provide us with a ‘one-stop’ shop solution – we get the same quality of service and better control across all aspects of the project.”
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