What is Scheme Activation?
In 2018, The Greater Manchester Combined Authority agreed to allocate a proportion of Greater Manchester’ Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) to develop the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund (MCF).
The fund is being used to deliver the first phase of the Bee Network, which is the walking and cycling element of the Our Network plan to transform Greater Manchester’s transport system. The Bee Network, once complete, will cover circa 1,800 miles and be the longest, integrated, planned network in the country, connecting every neighbourhood in Greater Manchester. With the Mayor’s Challenge fund, we are currently delivering a number of walking and cycle schemes across the city. A key principle of this funding stream is Scheme Activation.
Scheme Activation activities and events are designed to encourage and enable people to use the new walking and cycling provisions in their area. By engaging with residents, Scheme Activation can help build confidence in walking and cycling activities by helping to make the new infrastructure more accessible.
Each project has its own area-specific activation plan, to encourage and engage residents to use the new cycling and walking provisions. Scheme Activation activities also aim to offer practical support to communities, by removing potential barriers. The main objective of Scheme Activation is to encourage those that may not walk or cycle regularly and look to change people's culture towards considering other alternative methods of sustainable transport.
Funding can only be awarded to support the activation activity within the same ward as a ‘live’ project. Projects that will be eligible to apply for the £5,000 Scheme Activation Grant Funds are:
- Beswick Filtered Neighbourhood
- Manchester to Chorlton Cycleway (including Whalley Range)
- Burnage and Levenshulme Filtered Neighbourhood
- Victoria Northern Eastern Gateway
- Northern Quarter
Please contact the Scheme Activation lead before submitting your application via sagrantfunding@manchester.gov.uk to discuss how your proposal will contribute to activation plan for this area.
Your Neighbourhood Officer can help identify the correct Highways contact for this. You can also subscribe to our Scheme Activation Newsletter where you can find examples of the types of projects funded by Scheme Activation grants. Read more about upcoming Scheme Activation events