Our Environmental Improvement Programme funds and delivers small-scale projects that make a lasting and noticeable improvement to the city.
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 improved a number of war memorials and recreation grounds, as well as landscaped areas and roadside verges. We have added and improved fencing, gates, benches, litter bins, and notice boards.
The amount of funding available is limited – it's not possible to fund all proposed projects in an area every year.
Local highway improvement schemes
Cambridgeshire County Council runs a Local Highways Improvement (LHI) Initiative, to which community groups can apply for funding. They will provide up to £10,000 towards successful bids – applicants must contribute a minimum of 10% of the project cost.
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, first you must make sure it meets the eligibility criteria. When ready, contact our Development Unit at eipprojects@cambridge.gov.uk to discuss your idea. The next step is to submit the suggestion form:
- Environmental Improvement Programme: 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
We installed low-level timber fencing around the green spaces at Peverel Road. This prevents vehicles from parking on and damaging the grass, and keeps the green spaces 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
We installed a new stone base to elevate the existing memorial stone. We also repainted railings, and moved some plants to relate more directly to the space.
Trumpington High Street (2014)
Trumpington High Street before the war memorial improvement project was completed in 2014
We improved the accessibility and appearance of the memorial with a high-quality surface around it. A new shallow drainage system 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 new notice board allows for important information about the burial ground to be clearly displayed.
Gough Way, Newnham (2013)
Gough Way, access arrangement to the pumping station off Gough Way before the 2013 improvement project
We installed a removable bollard on the access path. The bollard prevents further damage to the path 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
We used locally sourced wood to build an oak bench. It was designed to fit the tree’s location and root structure, under the care of a local artist.
