The start of the £2.7 billion highways PFI, as Birmingham City Council's long term partner Amey begins the upgrade and maintenance of the city's infrastructure network for the next 25 years.

The start of the contract marks a substantial boost for the region by securing a large number of jobs, with around 250 employees transferring from the council to work on the project with Amey. A further 300 jobs will be created over the next year as work on the city’s network increases.

Amey has also committed to tackling unemployment and worklessness in the city by looking to recruit unemployed local people onto the contract and work on this has already begun. This includes recruiting five young people from the council’s futures job fund initiative to start work as aboricultural, streetlighting and road operatives.

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Mel Ewell Chief Executive of Amey commented: "We are extremely pleased to announce the start of the Birmingham Highways PFI and launch this important partnership between Amey and Birmingham City Council.

"This significant project will not only deliver an enhanced level of service to Birmingham but will improve the city’s highway infrastructure for the travelling public in the region."

Amey, in partnership with Birmingham City Council's Highways service, will be delivering a step change of improvements to the city's road network over the first five years to remove any backlog of work and increase standards. Amey will maintain the infrastructure at this improved standard for a further 20 years.

(CD/GK)