LIVERPOOL City Council’s Highways team is celebrating the groundbreaking progress of the Liverpool Live Labs Programme – which continues to set the pace for decarbonising roads and shaping the future of sustainable transport across the UK.
ADEPT Live Labs 2:- Decarbonising Local Roads in the UK is a 3-year, UK-wide £30 million programme funded by the Department for Transport that aims to decarbonise the local highway network.
Delivered over the past 3 years in collaboration with leading industry partners, academic institutions, and local communities, the Liverpool Live Labs 2 Programme has transformed ambition into action.
The initiative has trialled and implemented more than 25 cutting-edge solutions aimed at slashing carbon emissions, boosting climate resilience, and improving transport infrastructure for everyone.
From pioneering technologies to practical interventions, Live Labs has positioned Liverpool as a national leader in sustainable innovation - proving that bold ideas can drive real change.
Key achievements include:-
• Carbon Reduction:- By the end of the demonstration phase, the programme is expected to save up to 772.7 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) – the same as taking at least 300 cars off the road for a year.
• Innovation Ecosystem:- Projects include the UK’s 1st optioneering tool for whole-life carbon analysis, luminescent road markings (Luminokrom), permeable pavements (Kiacrete), recycled asphalt solutions (HALO RubberPave), adaptive traffic lighting, and smart IoT lampposts (Omniflow).
• Community Impact:- Initiatives have improved active travel routes, enhanced safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and engaged residents through creative campaigns and volunteering days focused on environmental regeneration.
• Collaboration:- The programme’s success is built on strong partnerships with organisations such as Colas, Pell Frischmann, Imperial College London, Bird & Bird Legal Specialists, and Liverpool John Moores University.
Notable success stories include:-
• Everton Park:- Installation of luminescent road markings led to a 50% increase in active travel movements and positive feedback from local residents.
• Princess Drive:- A key demonstration of a Mile Pave innovation solution. This location made for an interesting test site, as it is a busy commuter route, with frequent bus services into the city. The new surface reduces noise from passing traffic and also presented a 38% reduction in carbon when compared to a traditional solution.
• Bright Park Volunteering Initiative:- Volunteers constructed bee hotels, planted flower beds, and created bird feeders, demonstrating the project’s commitment to biodiversity and community ownership.
Cllr Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity at Liverpool City Council, said:- “Through robust analysis and open collaboration, Liverpool is demonstrating measurable and sustainable benefits for our communities. The project has already created a number of notable success stories, as well as having a positive impact for residents across the City. The quality of roads have improved, as has environmental benefits such as air quality and noise levels. Other Cities will be able to learn from our experience and join us on the journey to net zero.”
Liverpool Live Labs projects have been shortlisted and commended at prestigious industry awards, including the CIHT NW Awards, Highways Awards UK, and the Green Business Awards. The programme has also received special recognition for outstanding partnership and climate leadership.
