Multi million pound PFI
upgrade for streetlights in Hampshire, Southampton and West Sussex
DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (023) issued by The Government News Network
on 11 February 2008
The streets of
Hampshire, Southampton and West Sussex are set to benefit from a
record £225 million in Private Finance Initiative investment,
Transport Minister Rosie Winterton announced today.
The biggest streetlighting PFI ever will allow Hampshire County
Council, Southampton City Council and West Sussex County Council
to upgrade 165,000 streetlights over the next 25 years.
Rosie Winterton said:
"Experience shows that better streetlighting helps improve
road safety, as well as reducing crime and the fear of crime. It
is also helps create happier and healthier local communities by
promoting social inclusion and more sustainable patterns of
transport by encouraging people to cycle and walk.
"I am very pleased that Hampshire, Southampton and West
Sussex are using PFI arrangements to deliver real benefits to
motorists, pedestrians and all road users alike."
The next stage in the process is for the Councils to select a
potential partner who will undertake the work. When this is
complete, work could start in 2009 in each area.
Notes to Editors
1. Government support of PFI credits for
local authorities has been endorsed by the interdepartmental
Project Review Group (PRG). A full list of the schemes approved by
PRG can be found on the website of the Department for Communities
and Local Government. http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/pfi/endorsed.xls
2. PFI credits support the capital element of the project. They
are funded through revenue support which is paid as Special Grant.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk