Streets Ahead Investment Fund (SAIF)

Money in the ‘Streets Ahead Investment Fund’ (SAIF) is ringfenced solely for initiatives which reduce the disruption and adverse effects caused by street works.

This fund will be available for bids early in April 2027. Proposals will need to align with the Lane Rental Streets Ahead objectives:

  • Innovation –research, new solutions and improvements
  • Disruption - congestion and disruption reduction measures
  • Transport - sustainable transport, active travel and accessibility
  • Infrastructure - infrastructure projects, system and schemes

The Application Process

The application will be a two-step process. Applicants will first need to fill out a Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire (PQQ) to determine if their proposal meets the criteria of the SAIF. Applicants will be informed via email confirming if they have passed or failed the PQQ stage.

If an applicant is successful, they will be invited to fill out a detailed SAIF Application where they will be required to answer questions setting out the estimated costs, benefits, expected outcomes and time scales of their proposal.

The assessment of SAIF applications follows a framework comprising 12 criteria grouped under four main themes:

  • Strategic
  • Costs & Funding
  • Value for Money
  • Deliverability

Each application will be scored against the criteria before being discussed at the Governance Group. This group will be comprised of an Independent Chair, officers from Buckinghamshire Council and members of the regional Joint Utilities Group (water, gas, electricity and communications).

The Governance Group will agree a list of proposals that will be taken forward. Applicants will again, receive an email confirming the outcome of their application.

Governance

Government guidance and regulations allow the Council to use money generated from the scheme to pay for the people and tools needed to run it. Any additional money must be applied in the following manner:

  • 50% for purposes intended to reduce the disruption and other adverse effects caused by street works
  • 50% for the purpose of highway maintenance

Money for initiatives which reduce the disruption and adverse effects caused by street works will be ringfenced in the ‘Streets Ahead Investment Fund’ (SAIF).