The Midland Metro Alliance is announcing progress towards its ambitious goal to significantly reduce carbon footprint while building tram extensions across the region as it prepares to celebrate World Environment Day.
Ahead of the international campaign, which is held on 05 June, the alliance, working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), is highlighting its longstanding commitment to helping protect the environment and maintain biodiversity during construction activities.
Its efforts have led to the team exceeding its carbon reduction target for 2023 by more than 300 tonnes; making a carbon saving of 3,389 tCO2e, which is the equivalent of more than 400 million smartphones charged.
This has been achieved by implementing a number of sustainable initiatives including using sustainable concrete for the base of the track installed today in the Dale End area of Birmingham city centre in a milestone for the Birmingham Eastside Metro extension. Other initiatives include the use of renewable fuels to power all sites and machinery, the introduction of eco welfare site cabins and the addition of 48 solar energy towers to light its compounds and power the cabins.
The alliance is already contributing to the reduction of C02 emissions by building a sustainable mode of transport, helping to reduce the negative impacts on the environment by improving air quality and reducing atmospheric pollution. The Metro extensions will also allow more people to use this mode of transport for day-to-day travel, further reducing congestion, while helping to achieve a modal shift from private car use.
The majority of last year’s carbon savings – a whopping 1,500 tonnes – were achieved by strengthening, rather than replacing, Dudley’s historical Parkhead Viaduct structure. Designed by the renowned engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the restored viaduct, which once played a crucial role in connecting the town to the wider railway network, will help pave the way for the second phase of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension.
It is not just the construction activity where the alliance is helping to improve the environment as the planting of new greenery, including trees, plants and shrubs, along Digbeth High Street and Lower Bull Street have also contributed to a greener Birmingham.
Julian Nartey, Sustainability Advisor, said: “The construction industry has a key role to play in global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and the alliance is committed to driving change as we work to expand the Metro network across the West Midlands. There’s so much more we can do as an industry for both us and our environment and we will continue to strive to add responsible and sustainable practices wherever we can.”
As part of its carbon reducing commitments, the alliance has cut down its use of single-use plastic bottles as well as installing drainage pipes made from recycled bottles, helping take action against plastic waste and pollution.
In a nod to this year’s World Environment Day theme of land restoration, desertification and drought resilience, the alliance has introduced Earth Saving Rules across its sites, which are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The rules, including protecting ‘Life on Land’ and ‘Life Below Water’, have been applied to day-to-day activities as part of the alliance’s ongoing sustainability workstream.
Maria Ion, Project Director, explained: “We have already made such a significant difference in terms of the amount of carbon saved. To celebrate World Environment Day we pledge to continue to minimise the impact we have on our local communities by ensuring we contribute towards reducing local air and plastic pollution.”