The pair fended off rival bids from Balfour Beatty and a consortium of Costain, Serco and Capita Symonds to take pole position for the highways and services contract worth up to £1bn.

The contract will start on 1 April 2012 and will run for 10 years, with an option to be extended for up to five years.

Essex County Council said the new arrangement would ensure that a greater proportion of cash is spent on delivering frontline services and improving customer satisfaction.

Ringway/Jacobs will form a strategic partnership with the council, bringing with it a proven track record and fresh approaches to delivering highways services.

County Councillor Tracey Chapman, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “Customer focus and improving core services are two of our top priorities, and the Highways Transformation Programme will help us to achieve this.

“By joining forces with a strategic partner we will be combining the experience and best practice of the public and private sectors to deliver greater value for money for Essex residents.”