The redevelopment of Tong Street is already delivering measurable benefits for the people of Bradford and communities across the North of England Delivered by AtkinsRéalis through the Professional Services Framework, which we manage on behalf of Contracting Authority The Education Alliance Trust, this transformational highways and regeneration project shows how infrastructure can drive meaningful social, environmental and economic value when designed with community needs at its heart.
Commissioned by Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council, the scheme represents a vital investment in the city’s connectivity and social wellbeing. Through targeted collaboration, innovative social programmes and a strong focus on local outcomes, the Tong Street project is not only improving transport links, but also helping people gain skills, confidence and opportunity across Bradford.
Delivering long-term community impact
Before work began, AtkinsRéalis carried out a detailed local needs assessment to understand the challenges facing Bradford. The assessment highlighted high levels of youth unemployment and a rise in crime, particularly among underrepresented groups.
This evidence-based approach guided a social value strategy focused on rehabilitation, employability and community engagement, ensuring that the Tong Street project would deliver lasting benefit well beyond the physical improvements.
By embedding social value across every stage of delivery, the project has become a platform for positive change: supporting individuals into work, addressing reoffending, improving literacy and investing in environmental regeneration.
Creating opportunities and supporting rehabilitation
One of the most impactful initiatives supported through the Professional Services Framework is Forests With Impact (FWI), a pioneering social enterprise that establishes commercial tree nurseries within prisons. The initiative provides prisoners with accredited training in horticulture, equipping them with skills and purpose while contributing to the UK’s reforestation efforts.
Impact to date:
- Two Poly Tree Tunnels designed and constructed in Northern prisons through pro-bono AtkinsRéalis support
- Over 300 prisoners directly supported through training and rehabilitation
- A further 10 prisons have expressed interest , potentially reaching 2,000 individuals
- Social Return on Investment: Over £5 million, forecasted and verified through Loop
This initiative not only reduces reoffending rates but also helps address the national skills shortage in forestry and environmental management.
Building employability and confidence
In parallel, AtkinsRéalis partnered with Key4Life, a charity supporting young men at risk of offending or recently released from prison. Through structured coaching, employability workshops and workplace visits, the Northern teams delivered over 100 hours of mentoring and skills development.
Measured outcomes include:
- 100+ participants supported in 2024
- 95% reported workshops as valuable
- 100% said they felt more confident applying for jobs
- £1.311 million in committed social value through Loop
These sessions are helping young people unlock potential, build resilience and take their first steps towards sustainable employment.
Strengthening education and community connections
Beyond rehabilitation, the project team has extended its impact across Bradford’s most disadvantaged wards through targeted educational outreach and community engagement.
Chapter One: As a founding partner in Bradford, AtkinsRéalis volunteers deliver weekly virtual reading sessions to help improve literacy. To date, colleagues have contributed over 2,000 volunteer hours nationally, inspiring a love of reading and supporting children’s learning development.
Special Schools Engagement: Partnering with Oastlers School, AtkinsRéalis hosted career inspiration events for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Activities included demonstrations from Paws with Conservation, environmental protection dogs that engage learners with real-world conservation and sustainability topics.
Promoting inclusion, wellbeing and sustainability
The Tong Street project demonstrates how social value can connect people, place and planet. Environmental responsibility is woven throughout, from tree planting and reforestation through FWI to supporting low-carbon design and sustainable transport improvements across the scheme.
Worker wellbeing and inclusion are also key priorities, with our teams promoting mental health awareness, fairness and respect across all delivery stages. These efforts contribute to a more inclusive and supportive working culture that extends to the wider community.
A legacy of social value
The Tong Street project shows how a collaborative, data-led approach to social value can deliver meaningful, long-lasting outcomes. By aligning with local and regional priorities and leveraging the Professional Services Framework, AtkinsRéalis and Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council are addressing the root causes of social inequality, helping to build safer, greener and more resilient communities.
With over £6.3 million in verified social value forecasted and a growing legacy of partnerships in education, rehabilitation and sustainability, Tong Street stands as a powerful example of how infrastructure can transform lives.
Jonathan Oram, director of frameworks at Pagabo, said: “The Tong Street project demonstrates the power of purpose-led delivery. AtkinsRéalis has shown that by embedding social value at every level, from prison rehabilitation to local education, it’s possible to deliver infrastructure that genuinely improves lives.”
Dan Heffernan, Community Programmes Director at AtkinsRéalis said “Through partnerships in rehabilitation, education and sustainability, this programme and our wider work with Pagabo, is helping people build confidence, gain new capabilities and access meaningful pathways into employment. We’re proud to see how this collaborative, purpose‑led approach is creating lasting impact for communities not just in Bradford, but right across the North of England.”
The project continues to inspire similar initiatives across the region, reinforcing how the Professional Services Framework enables clients and contractors to deliver measurable community impact far beyond the physical build.
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