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<p>Management and maintenance of the Strategic Road Network is the responsibility
of Highways England. The Annual Assessment of Highways England Performance 2019 report,
published by the Office and Rail and Road (ORR) on 18 July, gives a total figure of
72,302 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2018/19.</p><p> </p><p>The Department
does not hold this level of information for the local roads network, which is the
responsibility of local highway authorities.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed
to exploring innovative ideas and processes for more environmentally friendly ways
of constructing, repairing and maintaining road surfaces. The Department announced
in January 2019 a £23m programme of innovation trials with the Association of Directors
of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) and commercial partners.</p><p>
</p><p>The programme includes £1.6 million being provided to Cumbria County Council
to extend a trial for the selection and testing of recycled plastic in surfacing and
structural treatments on the local road network. This trial will assess the suitability
and durability of the plastics additives from minor patching work and pothole repairs
through to major resurfacing.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, Highways England are also
trialling the use of recycled material from tyres in the asphalt mix on the southbound
M1 between junctions 23 and 22 near Leicester.</p><p> </p><p>Technological innovation
in road maintenance processes can also improve efficiency and reduce waste by recycling
existing road material. Highways England is taking such an approach in reconstructing
a 10-mile stretch of the A1(M) southbound carriageway between Leeming and the Ripon
interchange.</p>
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