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Essex County Council has become the first local authority in the UK to trial a new type of road surface reinforced with graphene, following a successful installation on part of the A1016 in Chelmsford.
The project, delivered by Essex Highways in 2022, involved laying hot rolled asphalt enhanced with graphene – a material known for its exceptional strength and durability. Although the graphene mix costs approximately £2.50 more per square metre than conventional asphalt, early results suggest it offers significantly greater resistance to weathering and traffic wear.
This increased durability could lead to fewer repairs over time, helping to reduce carbon emissions and potentially improve vehicle fuel efficiency due to smoother road surfaces.
Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, commented:
“It’s a battle to maintain our 5,000 miles of roads, so we have to find innovative ways of making them last longer for residents.”
While the material may not be suitable for every road, National Highways is now trialling it on a one-kilometre stretch of the A12 between Hatfield Peverel and Witham. The challenge for local authorities will be balancing the higher upfront costs against the long-term savings and environmental benefits.
