Seventeen local authorities in the Midlands are putting the regional framework worth around £260m out to the market again.

Incumbents Balfour Beatty, BAM Nuttall, Ringway and Carillion now face the prospect of having to fight for a place on the new Midlands Highway Alliance Medium Schemes Framework 2.

This time around there are just three places up for grabs on the major projects element covering jobs from £5m-£25m. Over the four years up to £190m could be spent on this element.

A further £70m will go to the winning five firms in the alliance covering smaller work packages up to £5m.

Leicestershire County Council is running the procurement race and aims to shortlist six firms for the biggest lot and 10 companies for the smaller works panel.

Interested firms should contact Peter Barclay at Leicestershire County Council.