Rees Jeffreys Road Fund Competition 2021: shortlist published

The shortlist of successful entries to the first Rees Jeffreys Road Fund Competition, run by The Trustees in order to celebrate 150 years since the birth of their benefactor William Rees Jeffreys, was published today at 14.00 on 24 November 2021.

This major UK-wide Competition is offering up to £150,000 for solutions that best respond to a fundamental question: What’s your vision of the way in which our roads (motorways, highways, or streets and footways) could best work for us all as we square up to the challenges of the next 50 years?

The next step in the Competition is for the grant winners to be announced at a virtual event on 3 December between 11.00 -11.45. Register here for the big reveal. 

The shortlist includes 20 entries that are eligible for either a £5,000 grant in order to further develop their ideas, a special commendation, or an alternative grant of the Trustees’ choosing.

A separate shortlist for entries from primary and secondary schools will be announced on 30 November.

It was refreshing to hear from some new voices to the sector and be presented with some very well-thought out ideas.

The final winner – or winners – of the £150,000 fund, to be selected from those in receipt of the £5,000 development grants (to be announced on 3 December), will be celebrated at a Gala Reception on 28 March 2022, at Prince Philip House, home of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Carlton House Terrace, in the heart of London St James’.

The Trustees were thrilled to receive a total of 142 entries, which they described as an ‘incredible achievement’. 

The key requirement of the Competition was for innovative ideas, creatively presented, and the Trustees noted how well many entrants responded, sending in entries that included songs, poems, videos, paintings and models.

‘It was refreshing to hear from some new voices to the sector and be presented with some very well-thought out ideas,’ said Ginny Clarke, Trustee and Chair of the Judging Panel. 

‘We were very pleased to see that many entries showed a “strong alignment” to the views of William Rees Jeffreys.’

‘I am delighted with the breadth of ideas, the quality of thinking and creativity, and especially pleased to get 142 entries,’ added Trustee Andy Graham.

Alongside the winners, the Trustees have also decided to either award some projects with funding in the form of a traditional Rees Jeffreys Road Fund Grant, or to make further recommendations to some entrants in terms of revisions to their entries in order to be eligible for a such a grant. 

In some cases, they will also be advising entrants on partnering with other entrants to create improved viability for projects to be taken forward.

Join us online on 3 December when the prizes, finalists and grant winners will be revealed. Free registration here.