The Midland Metro Alliance – in charge of the construction of the West Midlands Metro extensions on behalf of Transport for West Midlands – are celebrating Earth Day by highlighting their long-standing commitment to helping improve the environment. They have introduced a number of carbon initiatives as their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint.
Francesca DePetris, Sustainability Manager at the Alliance, said: “There’s an incorrect view that construction must be inherently damaging for the environment. Here at the Midland Metro Alliance, our vision for sustainability is to be a global pioneer in sustainable practices through bold decision making. We put sustainability at the heart of everything we do and this project is not just about putting spades in the ground but supporting the communities across the West Midlands. There is still so much more we can do as an industry for both ourselves and our environment and we will continue to strive to add responsible and sustainable practices wherever we can.”
The efforts to improve the environment have seen renewable fuels being used to power all of its sites and machinery, saving an estimated 1,982 tonnes of tC02E in 2022, that’s the equivalent of the emissions a diesel car would produce when travelling the circumference of the earth almost 300 times.
Carbon reducing concrete was used on significant concrete pours for the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill and Birmingham Eastside extensions. This low-carbon fibre reinforcement concrete is a by-product of the manufacturing process for iron and steel and includes 50% Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag, a compound which allows less traditional concrete without a compromise on quality.
The Midland Metro Alliance are now also now lit using solar energy with site cabins also running on the renewable resource. In addition they have also planted new greenery, including trees, plants and shrubs, along Digbeth High Street to help to contribute to a greener Birmingham.