An improved and more efficient road network will play a vital part towards achieving a low carbon future and greater sustainability.
That’s according to the Highways Agency’s newly published Sustainable Development Plan (SDP).
As the body responsible for ensuring a strategic and economically encouraging road network whilst protecting the environment and minimising waste, Dean Kerwick-Chrisp, Head of Sustainability, Equality and Diversity at the Highways Agency, believes that the SDP will clarify how roads impact on communities and the environment.
“Operating and improving our strategic road network more effectively lies at the heart of greater sustainability,” he commented.
“We recognise we have a key role to play in supporting economic recovery as these roads carry a third of all vehicle traffic and two thirds of all freight journeys in England and they are an integral part of our national way of life, providing links for communities and businesses and contributing to national wellbeing.
“It is important that we understand and limit the impacts that these roads can have on communities and the environment.”
Dean added that the SDP sets out how the body wants to work with suppliers and others to ensure the impact of their roads is kept as low as possible.
The decision to switch off motorway lights between midnight and 5am has saved approximately 3,300,000 kwh, equivalent to annual carbon dioxide equivalent savings of around 1800 tonnes CO2e; the type of savings the plan will aim to continue to identify in future.
The full SDP has been made available on the Highways Agency’s website here.
