Working in partnership with Thames Water, the key cycle lane in Stratford, through the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will see traditional asphalt replaced with a greener alternative. The new material uses waste plastic which would otherwise have gone to landfill or incineration to replace part of the bitumen used in asphalt production.

Provided by plastic asphalt developer MacRebur, the new material is more flexible and adaptable under temperature changes which reduces the chances of cracking and potholes forming over time. To further enhance the sustainability of the new cycle lane, the material can also be recycled again at the end of its life, completing the recycling process.

John McKay, Balfour Beatty senior construction manager for the works, said: “Throughout the project, sustainability played a vital role in the choices we made. Finding a material which not only saved plastic from landfill, but which could also be recycled again at the end of its life, is the ultimate sustainable solution.

“We are proud to have taken an innovative approach to sustainability and ultimately offer a more sustainable yet practical result to the community for their new cycle lane.”

The new cycle lane formed part of wider works to upgrade the Victorian sewer network running through the Waterworks Bridge in Stratford.