Real Social Value: 'On the Right Track' with Manchester City Council

We really want to encourage people to leave their car at home and to travel by walking, cycling, or wheeling to their destination.

Indra Power, Social Value & Scheme Activation Lead at Manchester City Council

On the right track

The North East Gateway Phase Two scheme delivers new walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure that connects communities across Manchester, making it easier to get into and out of the city and tying local routes into the wider Bee Network.

Watch the below to find out more about how Social Value is helping build a more connected Manchester as part of the city's journey to becoming zero carbon by 2038.

At Manchester City Council, Social Value has been embedded into every stage of commissioning, dedicating 20% weight to Social Value and a 10% weight into environmental. That weighting is what puts road safety, employment and skills, and active travel on equal footing with cost in a highways contract.

The Council has used the TOM System to give them one approach across every contract, with targets, dashboards, and reporting all in one place to align delivery with contractors. For delivery partner Octavius and local group Moston Cycling Club, that standard translates into shared purpose on the ground.

It's important for us that it's not just about delivering a project or infrastructure, it's about working alongside those communities as well to have a long-term impact.

Sam Wraith, Social Value Manager at Octavius

Today's ride will showcase the new cycling infrastructure which has been built in Manchester, and people will see how easy it is to ride in the cycling lane, then plan their journeys using them in the future.

Marina Waters, Founder of Moston Cycle Club

💡 Want to see Social Value in action elsewhere? Explore more of our success stories.