Wragge & Co’s Projects team has advised infrastructure services provider Amey on its new £2 billion highways management and maintenance contract with Sheffield City Council, which reached financial close on 31 July. This follows on from the firm’s role in advising Amey on the Birmingham Highways PFI project.
During the 25-year service period which begins in August, Amey will oversee the upgrade and maintenance of Sheffield’s roads, pavements, street lighting, bridges, and streetscene. This includes 1,900 km of road, 68,000 streetlights, 480 traffic signals, 600 bridges and other structures and 2,400 retaining walls. In addition to improved road networks, the project will create employment, graduate and apprenticeship opportunities which could see almost 170 new jobs in the city.
Head of Projects David Fennell led a cross-firm team, including experts in PFI, property, pensions and energy and infrastructure finance. They worked closely with Amey Ventures directors Keith Cottrell, Asif Ghafoor and Nick Dawson, Amey Head of Legal Wayne Robertson and Amey’s in-house legal team.
David Fennell said: “We have been a valued and trusted legal adviser to Amey for a long time; having supported them for five years on the full bidding and procurement process for the Birmingham Highways PFI project. The largest of its kind in the UK, this landmark project demanded strong PFI expertise and technical excellence.”
Wayne Robertson added: “We’re pleased that through this contract we’ll be able to improve and maintain Sheffield’s road network and also contribute to the social and economic regeneration of the City. Wragge & Co has significant experience in this area and we are delighted at the way in which tey have worked in partnership with our in-house lawyers to deliver first-class legal support to this key infrastructure.”
Projects partner Sarah Sasse, associates Dominic Richardson and Liz Williams and solicitor Hannah Coad also supported on the project. Finance expertise was provided by partner Kieron Dwyer, director Joe Levin and solicitor Sarah-Jane Hogg while partner Phil Clissitt led on property advice.
Amey is one of the UK’s leading infrastructure services providers. The company works with public and private sector clients in highways and rail, street lighting and facilities management.
The Department for Transport and Sheffield City Council will fund the remainder of the project. Linklaters advised the consortium of lenders comprising of Lloyds Banking Group, KfW, Nord LB and SMBC. DLA acted for Sheffield City Council.
Wragge & Co’s 25-lawyer Projects team advises local government and government departments, contractors, sponsors and funders on PFI, PPP, infrastructure and international projects. Highlights include advising Amey Plc on reaching a successful commercial and financial close on the £2.7 billion Birmingham Highways maintenance and management PFI project. The team has also advised on the £70 million Oldham and Rochdale street lighting PFI project.
Wragge & Co’s infrastructure specialist David Fennell, won the UK Projects and Procurement category at the International Law Office (ILO) Client Choice Awards in February 2012. The awards recognise the winners’ “ability to add real value to their clients’ business above and beyond the other players in the market”.
