The Generation 3 civil engineering, highways and transportation infrastructure works framework will be used by over 40 local authorities spanning an area from Devon to Kent.

It is the first of three frameworks planned for the region and covers large-scale civil engineering and highways work valued between £8m and £20m over the next four years.

Another southern regional framework covering projects valued between £50,000 – £10m will be awarded shortly.

This framework has a projected spend of £150m and has been split into south east and south west regional authority lots with 10 firms likely to be awarded places on each lot.

Also smaller firms are presently bidding for the third framework, which will cover works valued up to £450,000, and is expected to be account for a £30m spend up to 2020.