Councils forced to face up to climate change

24 April 2008
 
A new clause in the Climate Change Bill is set to spur wider consideration of ways of adapting road maintenance to cope with predicted increases in temperatures and greater flooding.

The Bill, which has completed its line-by-line scrutiny in the Lords, would require local authorities to consider the risks posed by predicted climate change impacts and to draw up adaptation strategies in response.

Cambridgeshire officer, Chris Capps, who oversaw research carried out for the UK Roads Board on the impact of climate change on carriageways and footways, welcomed the move. ‘Some authorities, including Cambridgeshire, already carry out risk assessments into the expected impacts of climate change. This will ensure everybody’s doing that, which will benefit the local road network.’

Road surfaces built now would need to be resistant to the climate change impacts ‘expected to be with us by 2020’, such as changes in ground moisture levels which can lead to subsidence. But the problem was, while it was relatively straightforward identifying risks, implementing solutions had a capital cost.

‘The adaptation strategy for a Fen principal road that frequently floods during the winter is likely to be a new bridge. But there’s obviously a capital cost attached to that, which would require additional support from Whitehall.’

The Bill’s provisions to allow incentives to encourage greater participation in recycling schemes have been amended to increase local authority flexibility. The Government has estimated that a scheme could save councils up to £1.4M in collection and disposal costs. However, there would be additional costs to weigh against this, including £280,000 in extra billing costs, and up to £180,000 in tackling fly-tipping each year.

buying biaxin

buy discount clarithromycin buy clarithromycin purchase biaxin

ordering clarithromycin

buying clarithromycin buy clarithromycin cheapest biaxin

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login

 
comments powered by Disqus
 
 
 

Related topics