Sustainable choice of materials for highway works: A guide for Local Authority highway engineers

Over the past ten years there has been an increasing appreciation of the importance of sustainability in government policy. This has required Local Authorities to review their operations and look for ways to make them more sustainable. The maintenance and construction of highways is an area that presents many opportunities for increased sustainability, by the use of materials and methods that minimise the impact of these activities on the environment. This document provides a detailed description of how to make sustainable choices in the selection of materials and methods for Local Authority highway works, including maintenance and new construction. It is designed to support “Sustainable Highways”, the summary guidance that constitutes a daughter document to “Well-maintained Highways”, the Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance Management. This reference document offers detailed practical guidance for Local Authority highway engineers, their contractors, designers and suppliers on how to choose materials and methods of work for highways taking into account sustainability and environmental factors.