Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd

A421 Improvements M1 Junction 13 to Bedford

By thinking differently, we are constructing a road near Bedford in England more sustainably than ever before.

We are using alternative materials - some previously unheard-of in highway construction and aiming for major carbon dioxide savings. And this road is just the beginning of a long journey: we are sharing the ideas pioneered here, across the entire Balfour Beatty Group. Sustainable construction techniques have included:

400,000 tyres

The A421 is the UK's first major road project to use waste tyres as lightweight fill on embankments - 400,000 of them - offering cost and environmental benefits over conventional materials.

Capable compost

In conjunction with Cranfield University we are running trials with municipal compost to reduce surface water run-off: it holds a lot of water and also helps with landscaping.

Smaller footprint

We are tracking and reducing the new road's carbon footprint through better design and material selection. We aim to save 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equal to more than 19,000 return flights from London to New York.  

Adapted to climate change

To reduce the risk of flooding following heavy rainfall we have made drainage pipes and run-off ponds 20% bigger than normal.

Winning on aggregate

Over 60% of the aggregates used on the project are recycled.

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