The council has successfully secured £267m in PFI credits of funding for the programme of highways improvements.

Hounslow is the only council in London - and one of just three nationwide - that will benefit from a £1.3bn PFI (Private Finance Initiative) programme to improve local roads.

As a result, the borough will benefit from an additional £19m a year which will be invested in upgrading and maintaining pavements, street lights, street cleansing, signs, street furniture, trees and drains.

Over the course of the deal, which will run from June 2012 to June 204, firms will also be required to design and build new improvement schemes including car parks.

Between three and six contractors will be invited to tender for the contract, which will be procured through a competitive dialogue process.

Firms have until 15 January to submit pre-qualification questionnaires.