{"id":278,"date":"2024-04-04T15:24:01","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T14:24:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/a382-carbon-negative-road\/live-labs\/live-labs-2-updates\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T15:49:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T15:49:43","slug":"live-labs-2-updates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/a382-carbon-negative-road\/live-labs\/live-labs-2-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Labs 2 updates"},"content":{"rendered":"

February 2026<\/h3>\n

Concrete in construction can account for 1.5% of all CO\u2082 emissions in the UK and 8% of global emissions.<\/p>\n

The process of making cement, which binds the concrete, produces greenhouse gasses which attribute to these carbon emissions. Approximately 1.7 million tonnes of cement are used annually in the UK.<\/p>\n

One of the commitments for the A382 project is to review\u00a0current concrete designs and to implement lower carbon mixes. One of these changes is by using a low carbon cement substitute known as GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag), which is a by-product from the iron making industry will reduce the embodied CO\u2082 by around 650kg per tonne.<\/p>\n

By swapping the cement to the lower carbon mix to construct the culverts we are already saving 13.94 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e).<\/p>\n

Other examples where low carbon concrete will be used on the scheme are:
\n\u2022 Gabion basket foundations
\n\u2022 Kerb backing which keeps the kerbs in place
\n\u2022 Fence and signpost foundations
\n\u2022 Drainage
\n\u2022 Headwalls \u2013 a retaining wall built at the entrance\/exit of culverts, storm drains and pipelines<\/p>\n

December 2025<\/h3>\n
\"Air
Air source heat pumps at the Forches Cross compound<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We\u2019ve worked out the project\u2019s carbon footprint and pinpointed the biggest hotspots where we can make the most impact. Now, you might think concrete and asphalt are the obvious culprits – and yes, they\u2019re big players – but here\u2019s the surprise: the day-to-day running of the project adds up too. So, how do we cut that down? Great question!<\/p>\n

Here are a few smart steps we\u2019ve already taken\u2026<\/p>\n

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  • You\u2019ve probably seen hundreds of diversion signs across the network but did you know managing them can be surprisingly carbon-heavy? Every single sign needs multiple checks, and that adds up fast. So, we\u2019ve come up with a smart innovation to tackle this challenge head-on. We’re projected to save 145.14 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) over the next two years by utilising “intellitags” on all of our diversion signage across the network. These tags have sensors which can recognise when a sign tilts, falls over or is removed from the network. They can be digitally viewed and monitored, providing regular updates, with the ability to send an alert if a sign has fallen or been moved, at which point, we can send out our traffic management operators to assess and reinstate. These savings equate to an average diesel van driving around the Earth’s equator 14 times!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
      \n
    • Ever driven past our Forches Cross compound and wondered how we\u2019re cutting carbon? Here\u2019s the scoop: we\u2019re taking heating and cooling seriously. Instead of sticking with traditional systems, we\u2019ve installed an air source heat pump to boost energy efficiency\u2014saving an impressive 22.1 tCO2e over the life of the project! This isn\u2019t something you see every day in construction, but with the UK pushing for wider adoption of air source heat pumps, we\u2019re showing the industry just how beneficial this approach can be, wherever it\u2019s possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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      • Fuel usage forms a large proportion of the project’s carbon baseline, so we’ve adopted the use of HVO fuel across the project which has a 90% reduction in carbon, as well as lowering further air pollutants. HVO is a hydrotreated vegetable oil, used as fuel in our vehicles, plant and machinery, our HVO is accredited and certified, ensuring the sustainable procurement of the supply! Not only this, but we have EV site vehicles for our team to get around to each phase of the site, this simple switch has allowed us to further reduce our carbon footprint by 8.84 tCO2e.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        We\u2019re off to a fantastic start, bringing these innovations to life on the project, and we\u2019re not stopping there. We have even more ideas in the pipeline as we keep pushing forward to cut carbon wherever we can. Keep your ears and eyes peeled for further updates throughout the duration of this project.<\/p>\n\n

        January 2024<\/h3>\n

        \"Temporary<\/p>\n

        As many trees as possible will be preserved or re-used as part of the A382 improvements.<\/p>\n

        Devon County Council is hoping to pioneer the development of the A382 link road near Newton Abbot as the UK\u2019s first \u201ccarbon negative\u201d highway.<\/p>\n

        It is one of seven projects receiving a share of \u00a330 million through the Live Labs 2 programme, funded by the DfT (Department for Transport) and organised by ADEPT (Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport), to decarbonise the construction and maintenance of the road.<\/p>\n

        The A382 project is aiming to change established approaches within civil engineering, infrastructure and construction sectors in order to reduce carbon emissions.<\/p>\n

        Although some trees are being removed from the development site in November in order to create space for the road, every effort will be made to relocate or re-use as many as possible.<\/p>\n

        A temporary nursery is being established to store around 2,000 trees which are being relocated. This will enable established trees to be re-planted as part of the landscaping for the scheme.<\/p>\n

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