Funding boost for Sheffield’s roads
Sheffield's roads are set for a major upgrade after up to £1.2 billion of government funding announced.
Sheffield’s roads are set for a major upgrade after Transport Minister Norman Baker announced that the council is to benefit from up to £1.2 billion of government funding.
The Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding will allow Sheffield City Council to carry out vital improvements and maintenance to local roads over a 25 year period.
The contract includes the improvement and the ongoing maintenance of the city’s 1,180 miles of road, 2,050 miles of footway, 36,000 highway trees, 480 traffic signals, 68,000 street lights, over 18,000 items of street furniture and 12,700 street name plates. The contract will also include services such as street cleaning, winter gritting and landscape maintenance.
Transport Minister Norman Baker said:
Well maintained local networks which work well for all road users - motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and public transport passengers - are vital for communities and encourage businesses to thrive.
The funding this government has agreed will bring better, safer roads and more reliable journeys to the people of Sheffield. This contract will see the condition of Sheffield’s roads greatly improved and will include the maintenance of footways, bridges, street lighting and traffic signals.
I very much look forward to seeing the improvements this vital funding will bring.
Sheffield is expected to commence operation of this project in August 2012.
Notes to editors
The Department for Transport press notice issued on 20 October 2010, following the spending review, set out the government’s intention to proceed with a number of local authority PFI projects in procurement, subject to ensuring affordability and value for money.
Following a savings exercise we announced re-approval of the 3 highways maintenance schemes in March 2011 which allowed the promoters to complete their procurement process.
The project by the Council is a comprehensive highway maintenance scheme designed to achieve a holistic and co-ordinated approach to the highway and street scene. The project which the Council has called ‘Streets ahead’ would encompass the entire adopted highway network in Sheffield. Carriageways, footways, bridges and streetlights.
Press enquiries: 020 7944 3066
Out of hours: 020 7944 4292
Public enquiries: 0300 330 3000