£10 Million Extra for Street Lighting Schemes in Enfield and Barnet

The Department for Transport has accepted a bid from Government Office for London to provide an extra £10 million from Public Finance Initiative (PFI) funds for street lighting schemes in Enfield and Barnet, which will improve safety and reduce crime.

The extra funding agreed in December 2003, will be added to GOL’s existing PFI funding of £85m. Expressions of interest were submitted by Enfield and Barnet, for £23.7m and £27.77m respectively, and have been accepted.  These boroughs will now be invited to submit  full outline business cases for consideration for endorsed funding by the inter-departmental Project Review Group (PRG). 

Enfield propose to replace over 13,000 street lighting columns and add a further 3,400 new columns.  Barnet plans to replace over 17,500 streetlights, plus 3,779 new columns. These programmes will include illuminated traffic signs and brighter street lighting for road safety.  New lighting will also assist with community safety priorities.

Transport Minister Tony McNulty welcomed the extra funds the Government Office has secured for Enfield and Barnet towards their new street lighting schemes.

The Minister said:

"This is great news for both Enfield and Barnet.  Street lighting schemes mean safer roads for both drivers and pedestrians and will also help in the fight against crime.

"The Government is committed to improving safety on our roads and improving the lives of residents through greater personal security and a reduction in crime. This private finance initiative will bring real rewards to streets in both Boroughs and I'm delighted that the Department for Transport has been able to make the funding available."

More information

A full list of endorsed Local Government PFI schemes can be located on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website