Amey, a leading support services company, today announced its endorsement as preferred bidder by Norfolk County Council for the Street Lighting Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project in the region.
Within the contract, worth in excess of £150 million, Amey will modernise and manage the County’s lighting stock over the next 25 years replacing and refurbishing 50,000 street lights and 12,000 illuminated signs and bollards across Norfolk. Amey will also provide maintenance, repair and replacements for the duration of the contract.
Amey will use innovative solutions and the latest energy saving technology together with operational efficiencies to improve customer satisfaction and provide best value. This will include using “white light” and equipment to enable some lights to be dimmed when full lighting is not required. This will also reduce light pollution.
Norfolk County Council has undertaken the project to improve street lighting in the region to help reduce night-time crime, the fear of crime and to aid community regeneration and promote the feeling of well being by enhancing the physical environment. Better street lighting will also help improve road safety for both pedestrians and road-users by reducing night-time accidents.
Mel Ewell, Chief Executive, Amey, said: “Amey has a wealth of experience in delivering PFI street lighting contracts throughout the UK. For us, this contract is not just about providing better street lighting in Norfolk, it is also about helping to enhance the area and benefit the local community by making it feel safer at night."
“We are delighted to have been confirmed as Preferred Bidder by Norfolk County Council and look forward to working with them to deliver improved street lighting across Norfolk.”
Amey currently operates street lighting PFI contracts in Walsall, Manchester and Wakefield, managing a total of over half a million streetlights across the country.