What the PFI contract has delivered
Birmingham’s network covers more than 2,500km of roadways and 5,000km of footways.
Since 2019, the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) has delivered:
- investment of £148 million in the highway network, including £130 million in surfacing, improving carriageway condition and helping to slow the deterioration of Birmingham's roads and footways
- replacement of 4,304 street lighting columns
- replacement of 20 traffic signals
- investment of £2.25 million in tunnel safety systems
Before 2019, the PFI delivered:
- replacement of 49,769 street lighting columns
- replacement of 549 traffic signals
- refurbishment of three city centre tunnels
- strengthening of 28 structures
- refurbishment of pumping stations at key points on the network
- upgrading of the Urban Traffic Control system to Urban Traffic Management and Control standard
- renewal of the winter maintenance fleet and optimisation of routes, resulting in a well-delivered and resilient winter service
- a reduction in the value of settled highway liability claims against the council, due to asset investment and improved claims management
Impact on residents
Our priority remains the continued delivery of statutory highway functions and services across the city, ensuring the safety of everyone across the network.
We will continue to ensure the delivery of these services through an extended interim services contract delivered by Kier.
Commercially sensitive information
Some information regarding the contract is exempt under the Environmental Information Regulations, as detailed on our Highways PFI page.
Page last updated: 31 July 2026