Balfour Beatty, Bam Nuttall/Kier, Costain and Laing O’Rourke have all formed their own joint ventures to bid for one of the biggest Crossrail contracts. They will also be up against an all German-Spanish joint venture.

Andy Mitchell, Crossrail Programme Director said: “Tunnel fit-out will be one of the largest contracts to be let by Crossrail and will create further employment opportunities as well as providing a welcome boost to regional suppliers.

“We received significant interest from the rail and construction industry with a large number of responses received.

“Contract will be awarded in early 2013, providing the chosen contractor with sufficient time to undertake detailed design and planning before fit-out work commences in 2014.”

Construction of Crossrail’s tunnels will get underway next month when the first tunnel boring machine is launched from Royal Oak.

By late 2014, the construction of over 21km of twin-bore tunnel, stretching across the capital via central London and Docklands, will have been completed.

As construction concludes, work will get underway to fit-out the tunnels with the necessary track and overhead power equipment to enable Crossrail trains to operate from 2018.

This will include the installation of over 40km of track, overhead electric conductor rails to power the trains as well as ventilation and drainage systems.

The Crossrail tunnels will also require over 50 ventilation fans, 40km of walkways, 60 drainage pumps, 30km of fire mains as well as lighting throughout the entire length.

The fit-out works will be carried out within the entire tunnelled section of the Crossrail route between Royal Oak, Pudding Mill Lane and Plumstead Portals.

It is envisaged that the selected contractor will start fit-out simultaneously from both Royal Oak and Plumstead portals.