North Oxford corridor improvements win national sustainability award
Oxfordshire County Council and its long-term contractor Milestone Infrastructure have been recognised in three categories of the Highways Awards for their collaboration on the north Oxford corridor improvement project.
The north Oxford corridor project allows for easier access into Oxford city centre, improved bus journey times, better walking and cycling routes, and supports the ongoing local housing and employment growth.
At a ceremony on 11 October, the project won the Environmental Sustainability Award for de-carbonisation, and was highly commended in the Major Project category.
Another high commendation came in the Highway Partnership category for the Oxfordshire Highways Alliance which is made up of the county council, Milestone Infrastructure and subcontractors Aggregate Industries, Colas, Drayton Construction, Hazell and Jefferies, and MJ Titchmarsh.
The winning award entry highlighted how Milestone Infrastructure and the county council share ambitious carbon targets. The north Oxford corridor project is making a significant contribution towards those targets.
The project has so far achieved significant carbon reduction on baseline: 37 per cent, or 2,388 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). To illustrate, it would take over 14,300 mature trees to absorb this amount of carbon dioxide.
This success was achieved using baseline calculations, carbon workshops and events, and the development and implementation of a bespoke carbon estimating tool.
Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure & Development Strategy, said:
“I am delighted that our collaboration with Milestone Infrastructure and other partners has been recognised in national awards. North Oxford Corridor improvements is a multimillion-pound project that will provide enhanced bus priority and safer cycling and walking infrastructure on the edge of the city. The improvements will encourage a shift to more sustainable and healthy travel and contribute towards better air quality and reduced carbon emissions. It is brilliant that our vision for a greener, healthier county is acknowledged in the whole project lifecycle – I’d like to extend my thanks to all our partners and council officers who are living our values.”
More information
Milestone Infrastructure has delivered civil engineering projects for the county council since 2014. Their people are embedded in the council’s team structures to create a ‘one project’ ethos that promotes collaboration through a shared understanding and ownership of project objectives. On the north Oxford corridor project, this approach has taken the project from feasibility design to near completion within 30 months.
The Oxfordshire Highways Alliance brings together the council, contractors and supply chain, all aligned to improve efficiency, reduce carbon and add social value. Since its introduction in 2021, the Alliance has achieved an 8.5 per cent cost saving (£1.028m) and completed two improvement projects on recycling and delivery, adding another £1.7m of savings.
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