Staff were told yesterday that their jobs were under review as the firm looked to streamline its operations in the UK construction market.

Balfour has stressed that the current plan will not affect project delivery staff.

The businesses likely to be impacted are Balfour Beatty Construction, Mansell, Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering and Balfour Beatty Engineering Services.

Balfour refused to say how many jobs are at risk at the 12,000 strong division and said at this stage it was seeking employee feedback on the case for change.

Chief executive Ian Tyler has been waging a war on costs across the group for several years.

The firm has already centralised its back office operation to deliver £15m savings in annual running costs.

The construction services division has been hit by lower volumes and competitive pricing in the construction market.

Balfour Beatty said in a statement to the Enquirer: “To align the resources of Balfour Beatty’s Construction Services UK business to current and future market conditions, a consultation period has commenced with its employees.

“The dialogue is with potentially affected employees, therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further during this period.”

“We do not currently envisage employees in project delivery being affected.”