Innovative approach to asphalt

AN INNOVATIVE asphalt — made partly from trees — scooped an award after being laid in Rotherham on the UK’s first carbon negative road.

RMBC trialled the new surface — created at Templeborough-based firm SteelPhalt — on Broom Lane earlier this year.

Now the project has been given the innovation award at the national Alarm Risk Awards 2022, which celebrate public services and community organisations.

Cllr Dominic Beck, Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “This is fantastic news for the council and its partner, SteelPhalt, whose teams have done excellent work over the last few months.

“The new asphalt is truly an inventive product which will help Rotherham residents to lower their carbon foot-print and have less affect on the environment.

“This award acknowledges the steps that local authorities across the UK are taking to become more eco-friendly and the innovations they are welcoming to make their areas greener places to live.”

The asphalt uses a natural substance called kraft lignin — originating from trees — to bind the aggregate.

Judges said the project had shown an innovative approach to carbon reduction and environmental impact, while also showing the public and private sectors working in partnership.

After the awards dinner in Manchester, Alarm president Wayne Rigby said: “We have been impressed by the quality of all entries and have enjoyed finding out more about the interesting work done by our members and the wider sector.”