Information on Loughborough
News Index
2012
Feb 2012Jan 2012
2011
Dec 2011Nov 2011
Oct 2011
Sep 2011
Aug 2011
Jul 2011
Jun 2011
May 2011
Apr 2011
Mar 2011
Feb 2011
Jan 2011
2010
Dec 2010Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Sep 2010
Aug 2010
Jul 2010
Jun 2010
May 2010
Apr 2010
Mar 2010
Feb 2010
Jan 2010
2009
Dec 2009Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Mar 2008
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
2007
Dec 2007Nov 2007
Oct 2007
Sep 2007
Aug 2007
Jul 2007
Jun 2007
May 2007
Climate change and our highways
Posted on 26/05/2009
Highways, Transportation & Waste Management
The Highways Department of Leicestershire County Council has been taking proactive steps to deal with the effects of climate change on the roads and pavements across the county.
Despite the snow last winter, results of a recent study has shown that over the next 20 years the trends are for drier and hotter summers, milder and wetter winters, more extreme rainfall and drought.
Heat wave conditions can have a damaging effect on the road and footway surfaces. Drains can overflow following excessive rainfall and grassed areas are growing more quickly and over a longer season.
The County Council has already committed to managing the effects of climate change in the region.
In 2006, an additional £300,000 was spent on repairing heat-damaged carriageway surfaces and in 2007 an extra £500,000 was invested over two years to look at ways to alleviate the risk of flooding particularly across the Soar Valley region.
A recent study on how climate change could affect our roads has also taken place across counties in the East Midlands. The study set out positive steps to managing the effects of climate change on the highway network and in April it received a ‘Highly Commended’ accolade in the Institution of Civil Engineers’ East Midlands Merit Awards.
Matthew Lugg, Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management, said: “The County Council is taking the issue of the effect of climate change on our highway network very seriously”.
“We are working with our road surfacing supplier to investigate new materials and we are looking at innovative solutions to flooding problems. Additionally, we have introduced a more flexible grass cutting service this year, with more frequent cuts and a greater opportunity to respond to periods of rapid growth, which has already shown a great improvement.”
“The County Council is taking proactive steps towards managing the effect that climate change may have on our highways networks in future years.”
For more information, visit www.leics.gov.uk/roadsandtransport