The Walsall Public Lighting Public Finance Initiative project has brought Walsall’s street lighting right up to date.

Under the Project, 18, 000 old street lights have been replaced with efficient modern ones. All the lights will be cleaned and maintained on a regular cycle to ensure that the required lighting levels are maintained and that he lighting continues to be maintained to specification for the entire contract period.

Walsall was the first major street lighting renewal project to be awarded under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). It shows a new way for Councils to modernise their street lighting equipment in a very cost efficient way, which helps to keep Council Tax as low as possible. The Walsall Street Lighting concession started in April 2002 and is for 26 years.

The Walsall Street Lighting PFI is wholly owned by John Laing. Amey plc is the key operational services subcontractor to the special purpose company.

The project’s success as a pathfinder Street Lighting project was recognised by the project team’s award of the ‘Best Transport Project 2003’ at the Public Private Finance awards in London. The organisers of the awards recognised the Walsall Street Lighting PFI for “providing a cornerstone for regeneration and creating a well lit environment that encourages people back onto the streets during the evenings for social activities”.