Oxfordshire B4445 resurfacing pilot uses low-carbon materials to cut 30 tonnes of carbon

Oxfordshire County Council is piloting a road resurfacing scheme on the B4445 in Chinnor that could cut more than 30 tonnes of carbon emissions. The project uses a package of five low-carbon innovations, including Breedon's ACLA Net Zero Binder Course, Shell Cariphalte carbon sink polymer-modified bitumen, thermal joint heating, cold-applied MMA road markings, and electric plant machinery. The work is being delivered with M Group and supply chain partners under a full road closure in three phases. The trial is designed to test how these materials and technologies perform together in real-world conditions. Beyond carbon savings, the council wants to see whether the innovations improve road durability and reduce future maintenance needs. Solar-powered welfare cabins, advanced traffic management, and habitat features made from on-site materials are also part of the scheme. Results from the pilot could influence how other highway maintenance projects approach carbon reduction. The council says the trial is about more than emissions, it is also about longer-lasting roads and lower maintenance costs over time.