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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.

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Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk