A Stock Exchange statement this morning, ahead of the firm’s AGM later today, also revealed that Costain currently enjoys preferred bidder status on another £600m worth of work.

Chief executive Andrew Willey has targeted infrastructure, environment and energy & process as growth areas while work in the health, education and retail markets is being scaled down.

Since the beginning of the year, Costain, in joint venture, has been awarded a five-year £115m Managing Agent Contractor deal to carry out routine operational and maintenance services in Area 14, which covers the North-East of England.

Costain has also been appointed, in joint venture, as one of the Delivery Partners to the Highways Agency’s National Framework Contract involving the delivery of up to £2bn early schemes in the Managed Motorway Programme.

Costain, in joint venture, has also been appointed to construct the Royal Oak tunnel portal, part of the enabling works for Crossrail.

The firm also secured a five-year contract with Welsh Water for the next Asset Management period, AMP5, which began in April while work continues on a £397m four-year contract to deliver part of the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority’s PFI Waste and Recycling Contract.

The statement added: “The economic environment remains challenging but, with a strong operational business and a strategy for the ongoing development of the group, the board remains confident that the outcome for 2010 will be in line with its expectations.”