Liverpool Live Labs Drives National Progress in Decarbonising Local Roads

Liverpool City Council’s Highways team is celebrating a major milestone in its journey towards net zero, as the Liverpool Live Labs Programme continues to lead the way in decarbonising local roads and redefining sustainable transport across the UK.

Part of ADEPT Live Labs 2: Decarbonising Local Roads in the UK, a £30 million, three-year initiative funded by the Department for Transport, the Liverpool Live Labs Programme has turned bold ambition into tangible progress.

Over the past three years, the city has delivered over 25 innovative trials and projects in partnership with leading engineering firms, academic institutions, and local communities. These projects are not only reducing carbon emissions, but also building a future-ready, climate-resilient transport network.

Transforming Innovation into Infrastructure

From game-changing technologies to community-driven interventions, Liverpool has become a national exemplar of sustainable innovation.

Key Achievements:

• Carbon Reduction: The programme is projected to save up to 772.7 tonnes of CO₂e by the end of the demonstration phase, equivalent to removing over 300 cars from the road for a full year.
• Groundbreaking Technologies: Innovations trialled include:
  • The UK’s first optioneering tool for whole-life carbon analysis.
  • Luminokrom luminescent road markings for enhanced night-time safety.
  • Kiacrete permeable pavement technology for sustainable drainage.
  • HALO RubberPave recycled asphalt to reduce waste and emissions.
  • Adaptive traffic lighting and Omniflow smart IoT lampposts to cut energy use and improve air quality.
• Community Impact: Improvements to active travel routes, pedestrian and cycle safety, and public engagement through environmental regeneration events, have all helped foster local support and deliver inclusive benefits.
• Collaborative Success: Key partners include Colas, Pell Frischmann, Imperial College London, Bird & Bird, and Liverpool John Moores University – each contributing to the programme’s innovation ecosystem.

Local Success Stories with National Significance

• Everton Park: Installation of luminescent markings led to a 50% increase in active travel and overwhelmingly positive community feedback.
• Princess Drive: A live trial of Mile Pave technology on a key commuter route saw a 38% carbon reductioncompared to traditional resurfacing methods, along with decreased traffic noise.
• Bright Park Volunteering Initiative: Residents helped build bee hotels, plant flower beds, and install bird feeders – showing that sustainability begins at the grassroots level.

Award-Winning Climate Leadership

The Liverpool Live Labs Programme has received industry-wide recognition, including shortlistings and commendations at the CIHT NW Awards, Highways Awards UK, and the Green Business Awards. It has also earned praise for exceptional collaboration and leadership in climate resilience.

Liverpool’s work demonstrates the measurable and lasting benefits that innovation, community engagement, and cross-sector partnerships can deliver in tackling the climate emergency. As the city improves the condition of its highways and air quality, it sets a clear path that other local authorities across the UK can follow.