The framework marks a new approach by the South Wales Trunk Road Agency (SWTRA), which is halving the number of contractors used in the south of the principality.

SWTRA asset manager Ian Duguid told the Enquirer: “Letters were sent out last Friday advising tenderers of the intention to award.

“In accordance with the public contracts regulations 2006 and procurement best practice, these letters marked the start of a 10-day standstill period which allow for legitimate challenges to be raised.”

BAM Nuttall, Dawnus, ERH Communications and Lafarge are all believed to have also sent in tenders to the SWTRA by the May 17 deadline but have missed out.

The work on the new framework is being split into three regions and if no challenges are received Alun Griffiths will take on jobs in the Eastern Area, Cemex will be awarded the Central Area and Tarmac will have responsibility for the Western Area.

The new framework replaces a contract that was let four years ago and is about to end.

Alun Griffiths, Carillion, Cemex, Siemens, Southern Electrical and Tarmac all worked on that four-year deal, which covered highways and structures across the SWTRA’s entire region.

The SWTRA is dropping that old arrangement and going for a new civils contract combining both highways and structures work with operations split across three new regions.

The new deal is aimed at generating greater economies of scale as only one firm is responsible for work in each of the three regions.

The eastern area to be handled by Alun Griffiths covers up to but not including junction 32 of the M4 Junction up to the second Severn crossing plus the M48, A449, A4042, A466, A48M and in part the A40 and A465.

Cemex’s work in the central region includes junction 32 of the M4 across to junction 49 of the M4 plus the A4060, the A465 from junction 43 of the M4 to the junction with A4060, and also the A470 from junction 32 of the M4 to the interchange with the A465.

Tarmac’s role in the western area covers up to and including junction 49 of the M4 into Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire and includes the A483, A48, A4076, A487 and A477.