This one-day workshop, held on 7 November 2024, explored pathways to decarbonising street works and road works. It brought together stakeholders in the UK street works and road works sectors to consider the challenges, opportunities and barriers to decarbonisation. The workshop explored how calculating the carbon footprint of works, considering impacts beyond carbon, and optioneering future works, could form part of the solution.

The workshop outlined the origins and objectives of the Road to Net Zero project and the progress achieved to date with the Carbon Calculator. The primary focus, however, was on the development of the 'All Consequences Calculator - The Optioneering Tool' – covering the wider social, economic and other environmental impacts of design choices for road works and street works and an associated 'Decision Support Framework'.

The workshop was held at the University of Birmingham. The report and presentation slides (download links below) describes the background that led to the workshop, workshop preparations and management, details of the event itself, workshop outcomes and next steps.

Agenda and Presentations

• Laura Villanueva, Road to Net Zero Champion, Transport for London – An overview of the Road to Net Zero project 
• Ruth Chitate & Yaashiene Pukazhendi, EA Technology – An overview of the Road to Net Zero carbon calculator tool 
• Chris Rogers, University of Birmingham – The need for and value of optioneering for street works & road works 

Panel discussion 

"The challenges of and opportunities for sector decarbonisation"

Chair: Alison Williams, GeoPlace, Road to Net Zero Stakeholder Manager

Panellists:

• Samantha Brothwell - Street Works Policy Manager at National Grid Electricity Distribution 
• Ian Large - Head of Service, Highways & Traffic at Blackpool Council 
• Hannah Leggatt - Head of Environment and Sustainability Delivery at Clancy Group 
• Bradley Worrell - Environmental Specialist at Cadent 

Presentation & Q&A 

• Joanne Leach, University of Birmingham – The Road to Net Zero decision support tools - The Optioneering Tool