Our Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP) funds and delivers small-scale projects that make a lasting and noticeable improvement to the city and local areas.
Recent EIP projects have improved parks and recreation grounds, as well as landscaped areas and roadside verges. We have also added and improved fencing, wildflower areas, gates, benches, street trees, wayfinding lighting and notice boards.
Anybody can suggest a project or help us decide which ones to fund by liking or commenting on ideas. Find out more below.
The programme has ran annually since 2004. We review it regularly to ensure it is providing value to Cambridge and our communities. We last reviewed it in 2022.
If your project isn’t eligible for funding by the EIP, you could investigate S106 funding or other grants and funding.
Our engagement platform allows Cambridge residents to come forward with their own project ideas and have their say on others. For the 2023-24 programme, we gathered ideas through our online engagement platform project and our more traditional application method. The application process is now closed until it is run again, possibly in 2025.
Funding types
The amount of local area and strategic funding available is limited. It’s not usually possible to fund all proposed projects in any given year.
Local Area funding
Local Area funding provides our four area committees with a capital budget in proportion to the size of its populations.
The committees consider which projects in their area they recommend for funding, up to a project value of £5,000 or £10,000 if strongly supported.
Committees may be influenced by residents’ support for local Environmental Improvement Programme projects, in their areas on the engagement platform.
Strategic funding
Strategic funding focuses on one key objective that fits with our corporate priorities. For the 2023 bidding round, this objective was improving biodiversity.
The strategic funding is generally for bids over £10,000 and up to £20,000 for projects with strong local support.
Project consideration process
Following the funding round closure on 17 August 2023, projects and ideas will be considered and collated before a report is produced by officers and presented to the area committees. The committees will then consider and recommend projects for their areas.
All of the area and strategic projects will be presented to the Executive Councillor for Open Spaces and City Services and considered for approval.
Those who proposed the selected ideas for the 2023 bidding round will be informed in January 2024, after which we will begin to plan and deliver the projects.
Projects from previous bidding rounds
East area
Birdwood Road bus shelter
Provision of new bus shelter. Subject to review of benefits.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Project confirmed as undeliverable in October 2023
Petersfield ward streets window boxes
Scheme to offer window boxes to residences north of Mill Road to help soften hard landscaped street-scenes.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Successfully being implemented, ongoing into second phase. Potential to carry over into third phase with new streets
North Petersfield noticeboards
Addition of five new noticeboards.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Completed in March 2023
St Matthew's Piece - Improving Biodiversity
Biodiversity improvements identified through management plan.
The friends of St Matthew's Piece meeting on 12 September 2023 noted that the draft management plan had never been finalised or approved. New biodiversity plan needs to be brought forward by friends of St Matthew's Piece, as well as which elements the £10,000 agreed funding can pay for.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: If biodiversity actions can be agreed, likely delivery would be Autumn 2024
Gwydir Street Seating
Install two benches.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Awaiting response from applicant. The two potential locations are not advisable due to tree and possible anti-social behaviour issues
Increasing biodiversity on Sedgwick Street
Install window plant boxes.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Window boxes element of the project being successfully implemented, with potential for phase 2 being explored (2024/25)
Improving biodiversity - East Road Housing Area
Wildflower/grasses to be planted in public space.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Expected delivery in early 2024 due to lack of volunteer availability for planting
Biodiversity and social interaction improvements - Maple Tree Area and St Matthews Street
Enhance greenspace around Maple Tree.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Agreement on works due to be implemented by April 2024
Increase biodiversity and public wellbeing on Barnwell Road
To enhance key wildlife corridor and integrate with Rayson Way community art area.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Elements of wider matched funded work and project completed September 2023
Increase biodiversity in Headly Street and Eagle Street with planting
Project manager engaged with applicants and residents to develop an active group to manage the planting and initiate a proposal in advance of agreements being resolved between Cambridge City Council and the developer.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Residents engaged but unable to deliver until Cambridge City Council and developer agree land transfer
Making Rustat Road/Corrie Road cut through and green space safer
Cut back vegetation and improve lighting on cut through footpath.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Project completed in August 2023
A memorial to a forgotten abolitionist
To commemorate an abolitionist on a piece of greenspace in front of a new development, in order to bring a more positive balance to the city's positive contributions to history.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Wording agreed and information lectern to be erected in greenspace by end of 2023
Two bench seats for Petersfield Green
Two new bench seats on Petersfield Green.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Completed in May 2023
Picnic benches on Romsey recreation ground
Provision of four or more picnic benches.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Locations agreed and marked out with councillors. Benches have been delivered. Installation to be completed in October 2023
Community bench and biodiversity in Jack Warren Green
Benches and wildflower/grass enhancements.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Consultation complete, meadow areas prepared for sowing. Completion expected by end of 2023
Wildflowers on the corner of Rawlyn Road/Stanesfield Road
Plant tree(s) and wildflower meadow on corner green space. Annual meadow seeds are being sown in mid-October.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Substantially completed in June 2023
Improve tree cover in Hobart Road
To plant several trees in former tree pits or greenspace.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Consultation during October. Delivery expected in early 2024
Wildflower and/or bulbs along the outside of the Coleridge recreation ground fence planting
Wildflower and bulbs to be planted. Consultation complete. Tweaks being made with advice from Biodiversity Officer following some concerns about the proposal. Awaiting councillor support for amended proposal.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Consultation during October. Delivery expected in October/November 2023
A community garden on Peverel Road
Greenspace between 40 and 60 Peverel Road to be improved to reduce impact of vehicular damage.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Proposal being developed with Biodiversity and Tree Officers following meeting with applicant and residents
North area
Campkin Road shops
Soft landscaping on the shop forecourt fronting Campkin Road. Design work completed, ready for market pricing.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Project in consultation with ward council for delivery, latest Spring 2024
Hurst Park estate - Community notice board
Additional community notice board – Options under consideration by residents’ association.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Expected completion in late October/November 2023. Noticeboard received and location agreed
Logan’s Meadow noticeboard improvement
Install noticeboard and leaflet boxes across site.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Completed in September 2023
Jubilee Gardens - Establishing the space as a Green Asset through the installation of additional benches
Installing two additional benches.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Completed in July 2023
Hazelwood Close - Seating installation
To install a bench on greenspace.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Following consultation feedback, the recommendation was not to proceed. Awaiting meeting on site with councillors
Biodiversity and social interaction improvements to Green End Road Park
Install benches and biodiversity improvements to greenspace.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Officer resource for project to programme in initiation Spring 2024
Community noticeboard Mayfield area
Install community noticeboard.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Completed in July 2023
Bee Balconies - Pollinator-friendly planting for flats
Considering and developing vertical pollinator corridor solutions. Project feasibility and whether it is practicable being worked up with applicant and On The Verge.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Officer to resource project further in 2024
Restore benches at the 'Cyclops' junction on Histon Road
Reinstall bench lost due to junction works.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Expected completion in Winter 2023/24
Community planting on Campkin Road
Tied in with planting plan for Campkin Road shops project.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Spring 2024. See Campkin Rd Shops
Community Planting on Minerva Way/Kings Hedges recreation ground
Small community spaces to be developed to encourage pollinators, community gardens and food growing space.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Officer to resource project in 2024
Making the most of small spaces in King’s Hedges
Small community spaces to be developed to encourage pollinators, community gardens and food growing space.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Officer to resource project in 2024
Create a community haven on Green End Road, East Chesterton
Landscaping to promote biodiversity around the Methodist Church and proposed community cafe.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Awaiting landscape plan from Groundwork and Church wider project lead. Expected to be completed in Spring 2024
Benches - Scotland Road recreation ground
Additional benches.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Officer to resource project in 2024
Moving Forward – Arbury Court Community Garden Project
Installation of raised flower beds on the large green space outside Budgens.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Partially delivered in July 2023, to be completed in 2024
South area
Cavendish Avenue
Road narrowing build – out. Subject to agreement on increased budget. Highways Authority have implemented parking management measures. Little scope to achieve benefits.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Under review
Trumpington fringes bus stops
Hard standing bus stops. Subject to review of benefits/viability.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Spring 2024
Installation of drinking fountains - Hobsons Square, Trumpington
Drinking fountains to be installed near the Clay Farm Centre.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Several solutions progressing, to be completed by early 2024
Safe Access and entry to a LEAP
To create safer access in and out of the greenspace along the commuter route of Proctor Drive.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Completed in March 2023
Reduce yearly Christmas tree cutting and disposal by installing lights in tree
Tree in front of Wulfstan Way shops.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Contractor appointed, order raised and work completed in October 2023
Information Board Cherry Hinton recreation ground
Information board/lectern on why the recreation ground was so designated.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Spring 2024
West/Central area
Clivedon Close bench and landscaping
Awaiting replacement tree prior to install of bench.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Spring 2024
Histon Road shops bench
Install bench – Limited space, private land, review of viability required.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Project abandoned undeliverable
Histon Road recreation ground improvements
Picnic benches and cycle racks.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Winter 2023/24
Adam and Eve Street/Paradise Street corner environmental enhancement
Landscaping and biodiversity enhancements. Design and feasibility ongoing.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Autumn 2024. Officer to resource project in 2024
Sidney Street green landscaping
A further street tree and engineered tree planting and pit, linked with City Centre recovery work. Preparation and exploratory work for this project has started and will be ongoing over winter 2023.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Spring 2024
Planting to screen Lammas Land from traffic and reduce air pollution in the park
Biodiversity team developing plan and specification for implementation.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Spring 2024
Improvements to shared use paths on Midsummer Common
Signs and locations agreed – awaiting installation.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Completed in October 2023
Strategic projects
Thorleye Road, Stanesfield Road and Whitehill Road corners landscaping/biodiversity
Biodiversity Improvements.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Spring 2024
Whitehill Road verge protection
Verge protection and biodiversity improvements.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Completed in February 2023
Coleridge street tree and verge protection
Engineered tree planting and pits. Design underway.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Winter 2023/24
Gilbert Road - Reinstatement of grass verges
Reinstatement of verges with potential biodiversity enhancement.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Partially completed Autumn 2022. Awaiting confirmation of signage design from Biodiversity Officer for interpretation signage
Hurst Park estate - Verge protection
Options for traffic regulation – prohibit parking on verges etc. Consultation undertaken Summer 2022. Views unclear – review with Local Ward members. Traffic Regulation Order submitted to Cambridgeshire County Council.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Traffic Prevention Order to be agreed by end 2023. Implementation spring 2024
Anstey Way verge improvement
Enhancement of grass verge areas for biodiversity.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: All works completed in Autumn 2022
Silver Street - River bridge streetscape enhancement
In conjunction with Silver Street toilets redevelopment.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Autumn/Winter 2024 (to coincide with expected construction of Silver Street toilets)
Programme of welcome and biodiversity signage for open spaces
Biodiversity Officers bringing this forward as a coordinated approach.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Early 2024
Improving Biodiversity on Carisbrooke Road's central greenspace
Substantial biodiversity Improvements.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Substantially completed works in June and September. To be completed by the end of 2023
Cambridge Market Place and surround public seating
Provision of seating for visitors – interlinked with City Centre Recovery.
- Status and anticipated delivery date: Completed Summer 2023
Local highway improvement projects
If your proposed project is on the highway, it may be more applicable for Local Highway Improvement projects.
Local councillors, community groups and individuals can also apply for Cambridgeshire County Council Local Highway Improvement funding. The county council will provide up to £25,000 towards successful applications, with a minimum of 10% of the project cost either being met locally or by the City Council where projects meet an agreed priority.
Successful projects will be those that both benefit the local community and help the county council manage its assets better. This might be done by improving signs, road markings and crossings, speed management measures or parking controls.
Applications for Local Highways Improvements should be sent directly to the county council. If we feel that an application to our EIP is ineligible, but suited to consideration as a Local Highway Improvement, we will let you know.
- Find out more about privately funded highway improvements on the county council website.
