New report reveals how National Highways is helping local communities thrive

A new report published today highlights for the first time the work and investment going into local projects to support communities alongside National Highways’ road network.

The inaugural Delivering Social Value Annual Report measures for the first time the work carried out by National Highways and its supply chain in local communities.

The report comes as National Highways celebrates Communities Week, running from today (Monday November 6) until Friday, which aims to throw a spotlight on some of the work being carried out to support the wellbeing of communities living near its roads.

National Highways launched its first Social Value Plan in October 2022 to frame the company’s commitments to local communities. More than 50 suppliers signed up to the plan and this year some £220,000 was spent through the regional social value fund.

Executive Director of Commercial and Procurement for National Highways, Malcolm Dare, said:

“The 4,500 miles of motorways and A-roads that National Highways manages and operates enable our society and economy to flourish. While our focus is to deliver a high quality, safe road network, we’re passionate about making a positive impact on our local areas and communities.

“For us, social value isn’t a ‘nice to have’, it is integral to everything we do. With our partners and colleagues on board, I’m excited about what we can achieve for our local areas, communities, and the environment in the next 12 months and beyond.”

Caption: 50 laptops were donated to help veterans find work. National Highways Project Manager Archie Gardner, left, presented the laptops to Iain Downie, from forces employment charity RFEA.

Social value projects are focused in four key areas:
• Economic prosperity – such as supporting local businesses, voluntary and charitable enterprises and contributing to apprenticeships and education
• Improving the environment – includes working toward net carbon zero emissions, enhancing the natural environment and respecting neighbouring communities by reducing impact on air quality, noise and water quality
• Community wellbeing – this includes promoting safe and active travel, improving community amenities, connections between communities, supporting education and heritage programmes and helping to create quality places for people to live
• Equality, diversity and inclusion – creating opportunities to create a more equal society, a more inclusive and accessible road network and contributing to employment and opportunities for all.
Examples of the social value projects that have happened over the last year include:
• Introducing requirements to the supply chain regarding apprenticeships which has seen 1,041 active apprentices being taken on by partners working on National Highways schemes.
• Land next to the A120 near Braintree has been developed into a natural habitat for wild birds
• Four traffic officers in the East Midlands have led multiple aid trips to Ukraine delivering ambulances, 4x4 vehicles and crucial supplies for refugees

Caption: Matt Catto, Alex Brown, Tyler Bond and Aidan Dean on Ukraine mission

• On Coventry’s A46 Binley Junction scheme, the project team’s social value work included £2,500 of community donations, improving cycleways and footpaths, 453 people hours supporting the local community, 196 hours on educational activities and 940 hours protecting and improving the environment
• National Highways donated 50 laptops to veterans to help with their job-hunting endeavours
• National Highways and key suppliers committed to spending £800,000 in 2022-23 and £1 million in 2023-24 with a social enterprise led by the Royal British Legion Industries which employs veterans and people with disabilities to make road signs

National Highways is celebrating Communities Week to highlight some of the projects and programmes helping to create quality places that people want to live, work, play and learn in.

Environmental Sustainability Division Lead Steve Elderkin explained:

“Our goal is to support the wellbeing of current and future generations and we recognise, in particular, the environmental impact the road network can have on communities.

“We are looking at ways to tackle this impact such as reduced pollution, better green spaces, supporting active travel, climate resilience and flood prevention.

“As we connect people and communities across the country we also want to be a good neighbour and when we are delivering, maintaining and operating roads we also ensure we are offering social value projects and voluntary work.”
Visit the National Highways website to see the Delivering Social Value report in full here:

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/social-value-report

Notes to Editors

National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.

Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.

For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:

Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiries
Option 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)
Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)