8. Climate change, resilience and adaption
Oldham Council reduces waste, and consequently carbon emissions by recycling aggregates and other waste, and using recycled products wherever possible. Following successful trials the Council has introduced waste-free pothole repair solutions into its operations to avoid the need for digging out asphalts, thereby reducing the amount of waste created. Due to its expense, these waste-free products are only used in targeted locations, however they have had a positive impact on pothole reduction as they arrest further deterioration of the surface and prevent new potholes from forming adjacent to the repairs. Consequently this prevents the need for further visits to the same street, saving transport emissions.
Oldham Council employs a preventative maintenance approach to its asset maintenance strategy to apply treatments to its assets at key stages along its lifecycle. This maximises the lifespan of our assets, reducing the need for otherwise more carbon-intensive replacements further down the line.
Oldham Council’s fleet has transitioned to the use of cleaner vehicles with fewer tail-pipe emissions. The Council has aspirations to transition part of its fleet to electric vehicles where operational conditions allow, however capacity issues with the electricity supply to the Council’s highway depot currently present barriers to making the switch.
Oldham Council incorporates sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) in our schemes and we build capacity into drainage infrastructure to help cope with increases in surface water due to more frequent severe weather events.