Sheffield roads to get £674 million improvement

The government has signed a record £674m of Private Finance Initiative (PFI) agreement to improve roads in Sheffield.

The funding will allow Sheffield City Council to carry out construction work improvements and maintenance to local roads and will include upgrades to traffic signals, signs, street nameplates and road markings.

Transport minister Paul Clark "This support for Sheffield will bring better, safer roads and more reliable journeys to people travelling for work and leisure...Well maintained local networks which work well for all road users - motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and bus passengers - are essential for communities and businesses to thrive."

The deal covers nearly 2,000 km of road, 350 bridges and other structures, 69,000 streetlights and 35,000 roadside trees. Work is scheduled to start in 2011.