This in from the council in their own words. Ed
The pioneering project to completely overhaul the Island’s highways network using £260 million of Government grant is set to take a significant step forward.
Today (Friday 22 July), the Isle of Wight Council reaches an important milestone in the Highways PFI process when it will formally invite the three potential project partners to fine-tune their proposals for how they will carry out the work.
This follows months of detailed study of the detailed proposals submitted by the bidders and negotiations about how they will upgrade the Island’s highway network and improve other services included in the PFI scope.
Work will start April 2013
Once received, the refined proposals will again be studied by the council’s Highways PFI project team as part of the process to choose a scheme partner. Actual work will begin in April 2013.
Cllr Edward Giles, IW Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Procuring the highways PFI is done in accordance with steps and procedures laid down by law. It is a complex and thorough process and rightly so because it is important our scheme provides the best value – as well as the best solutions – for the Island. The Highways PFI as well as being the largest engineering scheme undertaken on the Island is also the biggest procurement exercise we have ever undertaken so I am delighted to be progressing on schedule.
“We have now reached an important milestone and I am sure that will be welcomed by all residents who want to see the Island’s highways network brought up to standard and maintained that way for 25 years.”
All highways resurfaced
Under the Highways PFI, all publicly owned highways will be resurfaced at least once and maintained to national standards.
The contract will also include services such as street lighting, CCTV, street cleansing, street furniture, and winter and verge maintenance in a way that is more efficient and effective than at present.
It will enable refurbishment of bridges, 150 drainage schemes and 17 capital schemes.
For further information visit the council website.
