A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Improvements social value fund

To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that their project or initiative meets at the following criteria:

• is local to Bedfordshire or Cambridgeshire and can demonstrate a link to the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements  

• will contribute to National Highways social value pillars: Economic prosperity, Improving the environment, Community wellbeing, Equality, diversity 

• will only involve capital costs  

• will be complete and invoiced by 31 March 2027  

• contributes to National Highways scheme ambition of leaving a lasting positive legacy in the local area

Your proposals must deliver positive value, lasting benefits, and a meaningful legacy for local people, communities, the environment, or the economy.

To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that their project or initiative is located near the proposed route and meets at least 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

Application process and outline timescale: 

• Applicant submits Expression of Interest form before 15 July 2025.

• National Highways sifts the Expression of Interest form and will communicate the outcome to the applicant within 14 working days.

• If successful, the applicant will be invited to submit a full application (Business Case and supporting documents) by 1 August 2025.

• The applicants who score highly against the key criteria will be asked to present their submission to the Social Value Fund panel meeting in September 2025.

• Following the panel meeting, National Highways will then communicate the outcome to the applicant.

• If the grant is awarded, the applicant will be asked to complete all relevant documentation to release the grant (November 2025). All projects are to commence after this date only.

• The applicant delivers the project to the approved timeline and will be asked to complete a case study proforma following completion of the project.

Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest form to National Highways. If the initiative is deemed suitable, they will be invited to complete a full application.