National Highways has announced 11 community projects have won cash in the first round of bidding to the £2m 'legacy fund' attached to its flagship £1bn A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet scheme.
The legacy cash is split into two pots. A £1.7m Social Value Fund has grants available between £15,000 to £200,000, and the £250,000 Community Fund is for smaller schemes, with grants of up to £15,000.
Those eligible for the fund are non-for-profit groups in the local area of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire such as local schools, charities and community groups.
The first application window, held over the winter, attracted more than 80 bids.
The Social Value Fund winners are:
- Potton Primary School: Establishment of a sensory garden for children to enjoy outdoor activities in a dedicated, accessible area
- Eaton Socon Cricket Club: Refurbishment of facilities to make the club more inclusive for all community members
- St Neots Museum: Development of two new immersive digital experiences showcasing historic archaeological finds
- VegFest Schools Growing Programme: Creation of food-growing spaces in eight primary schools in St Neots.
- Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust: Purchase of two ‘sondes’ for real-time river pollution data monitoring
- Roxton Village Hall: Installation of solar panels
- Gamlingay and Gransden Scout Group: Installation of solar panels at the scout hut.
The Community Fund winners are:
- CHUMS Charity: Running a therapeutic programme supporting 48 children and young people in Bedfordshire.
- The Croydon Reading Room: Installation of a hearing loop in Royston.
- The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs, and Northants: Events programme offering hands-on nature conservation experiences to 400 participants.
- Overloaded: Development of new facilities at Overload Farm in Bedford to benefit 60 young people with anxiety or school attendance issues.
'We’re delighted to award these grants through our legacy fund, which will help organisations bring their community-based projects to life, making a real difference in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire,' said Lee Galloway, project director for National Highways.
'This fund is designed to maximise the benefits of the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements for local communities, the environment, and the local economy.'
Transformative projects for local communities
The legacy fund was launched in November 2023 and is aimed at creating a lasting impact from the major highways scheme, which will build a 10-mile dual carriageway linking the A1 Black Cat roundabout to the A428 Caxton Gibbet roundabout.
The second of five funding windows for legacy fund bids is currently open for expressions of interest until Monday 15 July 2024.
Further application windows for the social value fund and community fund will be held between: November 2024 to January 2025, then May 2025 to July 2025, then November 2025 to January 2026.
Social value and community voices
To be successful in a bid to the Social Value Fund, applicants must be able to show that their project falls near the proposed route and will meet one of the following criteria:
- Economic prosperity – investing in new skills, jobs, supply chains and delivering improvements in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire
- Improving the environment – making sustainable decisions that conserve natural resources and enhance ecosystems
- Community wellbeing – addressing health-related issues and improving connectivity, amenities, education, and heritage programmes for communities
- Equality, diversity, and inclusion – supporting the creating of a more equal society by increasing opportunities for under-represented group
The Community Fund is administered by the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (CCF) and aims to support initiatives that help build skills and support employment, or support and connect communities, or enhance the local environment organisations.
CEO of CCF Michael O'Toole said: 'We are delighted to offer grant for not-for-profit groups in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire to deliver projects linked to the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements. Our long-term relationship with National Highways continues to support communities and leave a lasting positive legacy in the local area.'
The Black Cat roundabout in Bedfordshire and Caxton Gibbet roundabout in Cambridgeshire started construction late last year and continue to make good progress in transforming a critical part of the region's road transport network.
Both existing roundabouts will be upgraded into modern, free flowing junctions with a new junction added at Cambridge Road, improving access to St Neots and its train station.
To find out more about the legacy fund and to submit an expression of interest, visit: nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/a428-black-cat-to-caxton-gibbet/social-value-fund-and-community-fund/
