A major UK city has seen significant reductions in vehicle emissions without implementing controversial charging schemes for motorists.

Liverpool city's groundbreaking approach to tackling road pollution has delivered substantial environmental benefits while avoiding the financial penalties typically associated with Low Emission Zones.

Through an ambitious £30million programme funded by the Department for Transport, Liverpool has pioneered alternative methods to reduce carbon emissions from its road network.

The three-year ADEPT Live Labs 2 initiative focuses on decarbonising local highways through innovative materials and construction techniques rather than restricting or charging vehicle access.

The city was able to reduce car pollution through a £30million trial project

This strategy marks a departure from the Government's preferred Clean Air Zone framework, which typically involves fees for non-compliant vehicles entering designated areas.

The council's innovative programme has achieved extraordinary results through the application of cutting-edge road materials and construction methods.

The initiative represents a comprehensive approach to highway decarbonisation, addressing both emissions and infrastructure resilience challenges across Liverpool's road network.

Revolutionary materials such as Milepave, LuminoKrom, and cold-applied road markings have replaced traditional construction methods. Low-carbon plant equipment and alternative surface materials form key components of the strategy.

The city was able to reduce car emissions through technological advances rather than road charging

The programme's effectiveness is evident in its projected carbon savings of 327.4 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, comparable to removing 130 vehicles from Liverpool's roads for an entire year.

Under optimal conditions with full implementation of the lowest-carbon options, reductions could reach 688 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, representing a 71 per cent decrease in emissions.

Individual projects across Liverpool have also delivered strong environmental outcomes through targeted innovation. The Princess Drive scheme utilised Milepave technology to achieve a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions, preventing 152.6 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from entering the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Everton Park's transformation stands as the programme's most dramatic success story. The installation of LuminoKrom photoluminescent paint for cycle lane markings delivered a 97 per cent carbon saving compared to traditional street lighting, eliminating 4.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

Additional schemes have produced impressive results across the city. Pinehurst Avenue's cold-applied road markings achieved an 89 per cent reduction, while Alderwood Avenue's lower-carbon surface materials delivered a 37 per cent saving.

Alderfield Drive's deployment of low-carbon equipment, including Instagrid technology, prevented 72.4 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions.

Liverpool's decision to abandon charging-based pollution control emerged after extensive modelling revealed that a Clean Air Zone with fees would fail to address all identified road exceedances.

The council determined that alternative measures could achieve compliance more effectively without imposing financial penalties on drivers.

Liverpool abandoned plans to introduce a Clean Air Zone across the city

Public consultation played a pivotal role in shaping this approach, with feedback highlighting concerns about economic impacts on residents and businesses.

Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said: "This innovative programme is laying the foundations literally of our shared future of decarbonised roads."

Liverpool's successful trials have established a blueprint for nationwide implementation, supporting Britain's net zero ambitions. The third phase will explore additional carbon-minimising innovations in road design, construction and maintenance practices.

Barrington added: "These trials, if they prove successful in Liverpool, can be rolled out across the UK, helping the nation to reach our net zero target."