Environmental Improvement Programme
Our Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP) funds and delivers small scale projects around the city that make a lasting and noticeable improvement to streets and public spaces.
The programme has been running for several years with a capital budget allocated annually to our four area committees. The size of each committee’s budget depends on the population size of that area. The committees then determine which schemes are funded from the budget available each year within their area. The programme was reviewed during 2015 to put more emphasis on smaller, community supported applications that can be developed and delivered more quickly.
Programme requirements
Schemes can be requested by the public, as well as residents and other groups, and local councillors. Each request must meet the eligibility criteria for funding, as detailed in the following document:
Successful schemes have previously included improvements to war memorials and in recreation grounds, new fencing and access gates, benches, litter bins and public notice boards, landscaped areas and improvements to roadside verges. The amount of funding available is limited, so it's not possible to fund all of the projects proposed in an area in any one year.
Local highway improvement schemes
Cambridgeshire County Council runs a Local Highways Improvement (LHI) Initiative, to which community groups can apply for funding. The county council will provide up to £10,000 towards successful bids, with the applicant required to contribute a minimum 10% towards the costs of the project.
Within Cambridge this contribution can be provided by us, where the project is an agreed priority, via the EIP. Successful LHI projects will be those that provide improvements considered to offer benefit to the local community. For example, better signing and road markings, pedestrian improvements, parking controls or dropped crossing points. For more information visit the county council's improving highways webpage.
Suggestion form
During February 2016 we invited applications for new EIP schemes to be delivered during 2016-17. We then assessed suggestions for their feasibility before presenting them to the Area Committees (during the early spring) for consideration.
A committee decision is then made on which projects are to be funded during the next programme year from April onwards.
If you would like to suggest a scheme and it meets the eligibility criteria then do contact the Development Unit, Streets and Open Spaces at eipprojects@cambridge.gov.uk to discuss your ideas. The next step is to submit the suggestion form:
Please note: there are a range of other funding schemes available for different types of projects. If your project isn't eligible for EIP funding, investigate S106 funding or other grants for voluntary and community organisations.
Recent projects
Peverel Road (2015)
Green spaces at Peverel Road prior to the completion of the improvement project in 2015
After installation of low level timber fencing around the green spaces at Peverel Road to prevent motor vehicles from parking on and causing damage to the grass and ensuring that the green spaces remain accessible to the community
Riverside (2015)
The condition of the railings at Riverside prior to the refurbishment works carried out in 2015
The project included cleaning and painting of the railings which has greatly improved the condition and the visual appearance of the railings at Riverside
Bell's Court (2015)
Before the improvements project was carried out at Bell’s Court in 2015
Following the programme to improve Bell’s Court which included the provision of bicycle parking, bin stores and bin screening
Cherry Hinton High Street (2014)
Cherry Hinton High Street before the war memorial improvement project was completed in 2014
Cherry Hinton High Street following completion of the much needed improvements to the war memorial, including a new stone base to elevate the existing memorial stone, repainted railings, and planting which was moved to relate more directly to the space
Trumpington High Street (2014)
Trumpington High Street before the war memorial improvement project was completed in 2014
Trumpington High Street improvement works to the area surrounding the war memorial included high quality surfacing to improve the accessibility and appearance of the memorial, and a shallow drainage infiltration area which returns cleaner surface water directly back to the water table
All Souls Lane (2014)
Prior to the installation of a notice board at All Souls Lane
The installation of the notice board at All Souls Lane in 2014 allows for important information about the burial ground to be clearly displayed for its visitors and the lane easier to spot
Gough Way, Newnham (2013)
Gough Way, access arrangement to the pumping station off Gough Way before the 2013 improvement project
Gough Way, access arrangement following installation of the removable bollard on the access track, the presence of the bollard prevents further damage to the footway while still allowing emergency access when required
Grantchester Road, Newnham (2013)
Grantchester Road, before the installation of an oak bench around the tree at the junction of Eltisley Avenue and Grantchester Meadows
Grantchester Road, locally sourced wood was used in the construction of the oak bench which was designed and installed, sympathetically with the existing tree’s location and root structure, under the care of a local artist
