Trailblazing decarbonisation in Liverpool’s transport sector

A large-scale decarbonisation project at a regional hub in Liverpool has been celebrated for its achievements, receiving recognition through a win and shortlist nomination at multiple national awards.

The hub houses around 150 Merseytravel staff including engineers, drivers, electricians, cleaners, and administration staff. 

Merseytravel is the executive body that provides professional, strategic, and operational transport advice to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which supports a population of 1.6 million residents in the North West of England.

The £2,062,567 project received £1,787,816 in funding from Phase 3a of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Funding was delivered by Salix on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The project has also been celebrated as the first of its kind for Merseytravel and the Combined Authority, who are now looking to use the challenges and successes faced as lessons to inform future decarbonisation works across their estate.

The Wallasey hub was first identified as a candidate for a decarbonisation project as the building used the largest amount of gas of all the buildings within the Merseytravel estate. 

Staff who conducted a review into the energy consumption of all buildings owned by the organisation recognised that this high consumption was largely related to the heating and hot water required for the garage and workshop area.

Assessments also indicated inefficiencies with the building fabric, with only 35mm of insulation on the roof, a double block on the wall and large garage doors with only local control for heating when they were open. 

The project took a whole-building approach with multiple fabric improvements employed to accompany the installation of low-carbon heating technology via air source heat pumps.

Modelling experts expect the combination of new roof insulation, cladding for the external walls and double glazing should increase the thermal efficiency of the space to between 73-95%.

Additionally, an integrated building management system was installed which enabled remote function heating controls, meaning there should be less heat wasted during times when the doors need to be left open. 

Twelvetrees Consulting sustainable project manager Dr John Hindley said: “The Wallasey Asset Management Building is indeed enroute to being net zero using only clean and green grid electricity.”

Read more about the outcomes of the project, including their recognition through multiple national awards, on our news section.