When allocating tax-payers' money for important projects, Lincolnshire County Council always looks at what added benefits their investment can bring.
The county's major road projects are a good example of the council's commitment to supporting local economies and providing a lasting legacy, even after the work is completed.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: "It's important that the money we spend on big contracts brings value-for-money and as many benefits as possible to the county, while creating a lasting legacy for our communities.
"To achieve this, we place a big emphasis on social value – or contributing to the long-term wellbeing and resilience of individuals, communities and society – when selecting contractors for all our major road projects.
"By clearly identifying our goals, and working with contractors that have successful social value track records, we ensure that residents get the most out of the money we spend on roads and infrastructure.
"A perfect example of this is what Galliford Try achieved while building the new Lincoln Eastern Bypass.
"Not only did they spend £9.5 million within a ten-mile radius of the project, but 68% of their workforce was local and the team delivered nearly £20,000 in training and skills courses to local people.
"Galliford Try also raised £2,300 for local charities, as well as donating time and materials to local groups – like building planters for Cherry Willingham Parish Council."
As part of both the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and Grantham Southern Relief Road schemes, Galliford Try has worked closely with local young people by:
- Engaging with 390 students during construction industry career fairs, STEM workshops, site visits and virtual career talks
- Employing five graduates and 11 apprentices
- Providing 120 weeks of young adult training
- Donating £6,400 in time and materials to local schools and children
Other examples of social value being achieved around the county:
- Working to identify opportunities in construction for young people with special educational needs and disabilities
- Developing Lincolnshire's next generation of engineers and construction professionals by offering apprenticeships and work experience
- Building strong relationships to help support veterans into employment
- Working hard to advertise and recruit locally – with over 150 Lincolnshire people currently employed through the new highways term contractors
Cllr Davies added: "Social value is an integral part of our highways contracts, and we will continue doing our very best to keep getting the best value from our contractors so that our infrastructure schemes also boost local people, economies and communities."
Road improvements all mapped out
Interactive map launched to keep motorists informed and give early warning of road works throughout the county
We've launched a new interactive map to let residents see the work happening across the county to improve the roads.
The map shows upcoming resurfacing, surface dressing, footway works, bridge works and more, and allows you to filter works by type, town or division.
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways at the county council, said:
"For years now, we've uploaded our annual work schedules as long lists that residents would have to trawl through to find works near them.
"Now we've put that information on this interactive map, people can easily see what improvements we're doing near where they live, or on routes they usually take around the county.
"We'll also be updating the map regularly to reflect any changes in the schedule and to show how much work has already been completed, so residents will know that they've got the latest information."
In the past year, the county council's maintenance work has included:
- resurfacing 44 miles of road
- surface dressing 248 miles of road
- repairing 95 miles of footway
How to use the new highway programme map
You can find the map online by visiting www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/worksprogrammes and clicking 'view the map'.
On the right-hand side you'll find the key that shows what type of work is represented by which coloured dot, and the buttons to filter your results.
On the left you'll see the map of Lincolnshire. Zoom in to where you want to look and you'll see details of the works happening in that area listed just below the map.
The map will be updated every month to show any changes to the dates of planned works.
It doesn't show reactive repairs, such as pothole filling, and problems like this should still be reported to us through fixmystreet.lincolnshire.gov.uk.